Madge

"Come on, Madge. It's not fair that Posy got to have a sleepover with you and Gale. She always gets everything," Rory and Vick both complain; Posy sticks her tongue out at them both and then hides into my side so they can't get her. Vick grabs my other side and looks up at me as he says, "Please, Madge?" I nod, how could I say no to him?

Posy, Rory and Vick hurry into their bedroom to set up the beds. Hazelle pats my cheek affectionately and goes off to bed; it'll probably be her first night of real sleep in a week. Gale hugs me from behind, kisses my neck and says, "Finally, alone at last. How are you feeling?"

"Fine, why?" I ask surprised; we've had a perfect day today – it was just what we all needed.

"Well, I've heard that for girls, it can be painful for a couple of days after their first time. Are you sore at all from last night?" he asks me.

I blush as soon as I catch his meaning. Images of Gale kissing my entire body and our bodies moving in sync with each other flood my mind. How should I explain to him that yes, I'm sore; muscles that I didn't even know existed are sore? Could I tell him that without freaking him out and making sure he understands how wonderful I feel; I've had butterflies in my stomach all day from every time he's touched me or even just looked my way? Before I can answer him, Gale turns me around and whispers seductively in my ear, "Because if you are…I can give you a massage wherever you're sore." That brings forth images of his hands massaging, kneading different parts of my body. Gale kisses me as his hands slowly travel down my back and all coherent thoughts go out of my mind.

Posy pulls on his shirt from behind him as she asks, "Gale, what're you doing? Come on, let's go." Gale releases me immediately and looks at me confused.

I shrug my shoulders and say, "We're having a sleepover in your room – all five of us."

"What?" he questions. Posy pulls us both into the bedroom before I can reply. Rory and Vick have pulled all three beds together so it's one big bed.

"Why don't you guys all go sleep with Ma?" Gales asks them all.

Vick says, "Madge already said we could all sleep in here."

Gale mumbles, "Gonna make them pay one day for this." Thankfully, the kids don't catch his words and I just giggle as I smooth out his pout. Gale whispers in my ear, "I'm supposed to be the only one that gets excited about a sleepover with Princess Madge." I get goose bumps all over my body and even more butterflies in my stomach. Posy instructs us all on where to sleep; she climbs in one bed with me, while Rory, Vick and Gale share the other two beds. Gale and I are on the outside – as far away as we can be from each other – which he is not happy about.

The next day, Gale walks me to my house as he says, "Madge, I love having you in my house. I want us to be together for the rest of our life but not like this. I know you're mad at your parents and I don't like the way they held you back either but I'm still glad that they kept you away from the square that day. I didn't want you anywhere near there. They love you and they just wanted to protect you. They sent me medicine which saved my life. If nothing else, forgive them for me."

My mom is on the sofa and she looks pale but she brightens up at the sight of Gale and me. I hug her and she tells me how my pleas to let me go plague her around the clock, how she thinks of Gale when the sound of the whip hitting his back echoes through her head and how guilty my dad feels for failing both of us. I decide to move back home – Gale and Corn are right – they just did what they thought was best for me. I'm returning home, but forgiving them will be harder than that; I feel like they betrayed me when I needed them the most.

Gale leaves me with my parents for a night with just them. The mines are still closed indefinitely and the fence is on around the clock. Gale can't go hunting or go to work.

Corn surprises me the next morning with a visit and as soon as I see him, I know something is really wrong. "Snow intercepted a communication that had Finnick and Cecilia's names in it about the rebellion in District 4 and District 8," says Corn.

"Now what?" I ask as a chill passes through me at that information. Snow could kill Finnick and Cecilia in a heartbeat.

"Now, we have to be even more careful. We have to put the rebellion planning on hold. We need time to let this die down. Snow's launching a thorough investigation into all the Victors and all the Mayors. I'm in charge of investigating everyone in his administration in the Capitol. This is a big set-back for all our plans."

"Who will come here to investigate my dad and our three victors?" I ask.

"For now I don't think anyone is coming to District 12. I already make visits here and Snow already doesn't trust your dad. He's never trusted Haymitch and he blames all this on Katniss. So he already knows that they're involved – he doesn't need an investigation here," Corn sighs deeply and continues, "One of the peacekeepers reported to him that he saw you arguing with your dad. I've told Snow that you found out your dad was working against Snow and now you are not on talking terms with him. This will keep you safe and still within Snow's trusted circle."

I'm thankful for Corn. I don't know what we would've done without him. The best thing Haymitch ever did was to make contact with Corn. I think my life would've been completely different without him. Corn convinces me to forgive Haymitch too – if for nothing else then for the sake of the rebellion. Things are getting tough and we all need to stick together more now than ever before. I can tell he's under a lot of pressure. He's probably going to have to turn in at least a few people in order to make his investigation legitimate. I know that's weighing heavily on him. I know how he feels; I felt like this when I had sacrificed Peeta in order to start the rebellion. This is how I know my dad is right that war breaks people and that freedom comes at a great price. I hug Corn to give him my support because I can't bring myself to tell him to not sacrifice good people or tell him to let the rebellion die out.

Suddenly, Corn smiles and says, "Here, I brought a present for you. It's from both me and Johanna since it was her idea." He hands me a small box. I open it to find a beautiful gold chain with a mockingjay locket."

"It's beautiful," I say.

"Mockingjays are the biggest fashion craze in the Capitol right now. I didn't think it was fair that the girl that started the craze didn't have one for herself anymore," he takes the necklace from my hand and opens up the locket to reveal two little pictures inside. One is a picture of me and Gale from the Harvest Festival and the other a picture of my mom and dad from their wedding. "How did you get these pictures?"

Corn blushes a little and says, "Last time I came to District 12, I went by your house and saw both of these pictures in your room so I took them with me and had them sized down for this locket. You were so distressed after Gale's punishment that I just wanted to do something nice for you." Corn hands me the original two pictures he took from my room.

I hug him enthusiastically and say, "Thank you, thank you. I love this. Tell Jo I said thank you too. You are the best."

"I don't know when I'll be able to talk to Jo or see her next. At least not until the end of the investigation."

"Will she be alright?" I ask concerned.

"She'll be fine. We'll all be fine," he says. Then he sees the sad look on my face and says, "Don't worry, Madge. I'm going to make her your sister one day."

I've grown up my whole life as an only child and now I have a future full of brothers and sisters – older and younger but it's a future hanging on by just a thread; one that can disappear easily.

I visit Gale after Corn leaves and the kids are excited to see me. At the end of the night, Vick and Posy beg for me to spend the night for another sleepover. Gale promptly cuts them off and says, "Madge can't! Her parents want her home tonight. I'm going to walk her home and you guys are all going to bed right now." He must have given his mom some sort of a look because she nods.

As soon as we are outside in the dark I say, "Too bad my dad wants me home tonight. We could've had a lot of fun tonight."

Gale just shrugs and keeps walking; he doesn't say anything and I'm afraid that he'll really make me go home. After all, he made me stay home with my parents last night. I come up with plans and excuses I'll use to get him to spend the night with me at the shed. When we reach my back porch he takes my hand and pulls me close to him and I think that he's getting ready to say goodnight; I won't let him. I stop, turn to him and pull him down for a long, deep kiss – the kind of kiss he gave me to irritate Corn. He doesn't disappoint; Gale deepens the kiss even further as his hands travel up my sides, and then down my back; I moan. He's about to pull away when I pull him in for another kiss. Gale says, "Madge, I think we…,"

I cut him off right away and kiss him again. I was hoping the kisses would convince him but he obviously needs more convincing. I run my hands up his chest, under his shirt; I know he likes that.

Once again he says, "Madge, please…,"

I just pull him in for another kiss. What am I doing wrong? I thought the first kiss would've convinced him. Maybe my kisses don't affect him the way his affect me.

Gale finally pushes me away lightly with his palm and says, "Madge, please. I'm only human and we're standing right outside your house."

What does that mean? I tear up at his rejection and immediately he drops his forehead to mine and asks, "What's wrong?"

"Why won't you stay with me tonight?" I ask. We promised to always be truthful with each other.

"What? I was planning on staying at the shed tonight."

"But then why were you about to say goodnight to me…and you told the kids….and then you just shrugged earlier?

Gale kisses my forehead, laughs and says, "I told the kids you had to go home because I didn't want another sleepover with all of them. I wanted Princess Madge all to myself tonight. But then you stopped here and I thought you wanted to go home. Then you kissed me like that and I thought I was going to go crazy…,"

I start laughing and grab his hand to pull him towards the shed. "I thought you were really taking me home. I was trying to convince you to stay with those kisses. And then I thought they weren't working because you kept protesting."

Gale laughs, pulls me to him and says, "First of all, I was only trying to get you to stop because I was losing all control of myself. Secondly, even if I was planning on going home, you should know that you had me at the first kiss."

"Well then, no more kisses for you," I say embarrassed. I shove him lightly and take off running towards the shed. Gale chases me and finally catches me at the entrance of the shed. Gale spins me to him and kisses me as we walk into the shed and lock the door behind us. We kiss and walk over to the futon and I throw it back into a bed. Gale gently guides me onto the bed; I quickly remove his shirt. Gale's hands move down from my shoulders, his thumb skims over my breast. His hand slides further down and he massages my side. His hands continue further down and wrap around my thigh. As he massages my inner thigh with his thumb, I whisper, "Gale, I love you." We just made love three nights ago and I didn't think I would want him again so soon but I do. I want him tonight even more.

"I love you too, Madge," Gale whispers and slows down the kiss. He sits up and takes a few deep breaths.

Confused, I ask, "What are you doing?"

"I…uh…I'm sorry, Madge. I don't want to…," he trails off looking for the right words.

I sit up too. I'm confused and horrified. Of course I thought our first time was wonderful but I never thought that it may not have been for him; I didn't know what I was doing – I'm not even sure I did anything. He did everything because I didn't know what to do. Tears are threatening to pool out of my eyes and I will them to stay in. I look up at him and ask, "You don't want this again?"

Gale pulls me on his lap and says, "Of course I want to be with you. I want nothing more than to be with you."

"But you just said, 'I don't want to…," I ask him confused once again.

Gale pulls me back a little so he can see my face. He puts both his hands on my face so I can look him straight in the eyes and says, "I was trying to say that I didn't assume we would do this every time we are together. I know you don't want that and I don't want you to feel like you have to. I want to be near you and I want to kiss you; I don't want to pressure you into anything else."

"Ugh! This is so embarrassing," I say and we both laugh.

Gale puts his forehead to mine and says, "I've heard it can be weird afterwards but I never really understood why or how until now. I don't want things to be weird between us. I want us to always talk about things openly no matter how embarrassing." Gale takes a deep breath and gives me a quick kiss. He says, "I'll go first. I think it's safe to say that you can always assume that I want to if you want to. But I also want you to know that I don't expect us to all the time or even often. I want to be close to you and sleeping next to you is always more than enough. We have to worry about pregnancy too so we have to be careful. And lastly I want you to know you can say no anytime. I mean that, Madge. I don't care what stage we're in, I want you to trust me enough to know that I'll stop whenever you want me to no matter what."

I kiss Gale and with flaming cheeks I say, "I love you, Gale. I trust you."

"I love you too, Madge," he says. Gale's eyes hold mine and I can't take it anymore. I lean forward to kiss him and Gale positions us back down on the bed.

As he lays me down I mumble, "By the way, we don't have to worry about pregnancy. Johanna sent me some stuff from the Capitol that is full proof."

Gale sits up again and questions, "What?"

I laugh. "I think it was just a joke but the first time Corn came to visit me after I got back from the Capitol he brought a gift for me from Johanna. He had no idea what was in there. Thankfully I opened it after he left because there was a note in there that read, 'Just in case…' and it contained all kinds of things to prevent pregnancy (before and after). I didn't tell you because at the time it just embarrassed me and we hadn't…you know…and didn't have any plans of it."

"Remind me to tell Johanna how much I like her when I meet her," he says as his lips meet mine again.

The next day after leisurely lying in Gale's arms for most of the morning, I walk him back to the seam and tell him everything that Corn told me. We thoroughly enjoy the week that the mines are closed. I know it's a difficult time but we've learned to make the most of what we have. Life can change any time; Gale and I have become experts of living in the moment. We spend most of the days with the kids at his house and the nights in the shed. One day Gale even spent the whole day with me at my house. Just for that one day I felt like a normal teenager living in a normal world in a normal house. Now that all the microphones in our house have been destroyed, I don't have to worry about Gale being heard. Gale came over a little before lunch; we sat in the den and talked to my mom. After lunch, Gale and I went to hang out in my room. I've wanted this with Gale for such a long time that I couldn't believe it was really happening. Perhaps dreams do come true if you want them bad enough. We made out on my bed afraid that Karl or Rose may come in and catch us but unable to stop ourselves for a long time. Karl and Rose adore him like my parents do; they're all happy that Gale makes me happy and there's no denying that he makes me happy. Just before my dad came home we had made our way back to the den where I played the piano for Gale while he sat next to me on the bench. Gale doesn't want my bond with my parents to be broken because of him so he's been trying extraordinarily hard to fix it. He stayed late after dinner and just hung around for some family time with my parents. After my parents went to bed, Gale and I had sat on the back porch swing with his arm around me and my head on his shoulder. Gale had gone home that night after a long, delicious kiss that had made me pull him back for another one. It's hard to say if that day made me or my mom happier.

The mines open a few days later and all control has been taken away from my dad. Thread is essentially in-charge of the District. The miners are required to work all seven days, the hours increase and their pay decreases. I don't see a lot of Gale; the only times I see him now is when I spend the night at his house. He's usually so tired that he falls asleep within moments of hitting the bed. Katniss hurt her foot so Peeta spends time with her and they slowly grow closer; Gale and I don't see much of either of them.

We are now in a holding pattern. Corn doesn't visit and we're essentially cut off from everything from the Capitol. My dad doesn't receive any more communication from the Capitol either.

About a month later, Corn comes by only to inform me that several people in the Capitol have been arrested as a result of his investigation – something he is exceptionally sad about. Though he had to turn in some rebels as a result of his investigation, he was also able to turn in some of Snow's loyal followers. He also informs me that just about all the victors from Districts 3-12 have been found guilty of inciting or supporting a rebellion against the President.

"Will Snow punish all the victors?" I ask horrified. The victors have been leading the rebellion in each district. If they get punished, this could be the end of the rebellion. Obviously, we knew everything wouldn't go perfectly but this is definitely bad.

"Madge, you know that Snow will punish them. There is no way he will allow them to go free after learning that they've all been planning a rebellion against him. But for now, he told all of us that he will not punish the victors because they are too dear to everyone in the Capitol. Everyone in the Capitol that was found guilty has already been executed," Corn says. His voice cracks at the end and this is the first time I've seen tears in his eyes. I hug him and just hold him for a while.

"Which just means that whatever punishment he's thinking for the Victors will be something big," I say thinking out loud.

"Yes, he will come up with a way to punish the Victors without losing face with anyone in the Capitol. I'm really worried about all of them. I'm doing all I can to find out what will happen but for now Snow is not talking to me either and I don't want to push him too much because I want him to continue to trust me."

Eventually the miners are allowed their Sundays off again and their hours go back to normal 12-hours a day. The resources in the District are limited but life continues. Thread informs my dad that this change in the hours for the miners is a direct order from the President. So Snow is trying to make everything look normal before he drops the axe. I have no doubt he is an evil genius and he is just biding his time to put his evil plan into motion.

Every evening I go to Gale's house because I have to make sure he comes home safe. I don't know what Snow will do but the thought of Gale being down in the mines while Snow is planning an evil punishment for the Districts is a horrifying thought. Gale does what he can to lessen my fears and I try to stay positive around him. We spend many nights kissing the entire night even though we both know he needs sleep and rest for work the next day. We haven't been to my shed in a while.

One day, Peeta asks me to come by for dinner because there will be a mandatory viewing and he doesn't want to watch it alone. I watch Peeta's face, full of love, as he watches Katniss model wedding dress after wedding dress on the TV. There's love and sadness on his face; he wants to marry Katniss but he wants her to love him back the way he loves her. Katniss has put so many walls around herself that she won't allow anyone in anymore. I sigh thinking Katniss is turning into Johanna. The Hunger Games need to stop.

Just when I sigh with relief that this mandatory viewing had nothing to do with punishing the Victors or the Districts, Snow drops the axe. The Victors will be reaped for the Quarter Quell.

"Katniss will have to go in again," Peeta whispers next to me. Katniss is District 12's only female victor so she will definitely have to go in. Either Haymitch or Peeta will have to go in too. Before I can say anything, Peeta mumbles, "I have to go in with her. Madge, I have to protect her. I need to make sure she is the one that comes home." I hug Peeta with tears in my eyes. He rushes out the door towards Haymitch's house.

An extremely heartbroken Corn shows up on my door a few days later. He doesn't have to say it; it's written on his face…Johanna is going back in too.

"I stopped by to see Johanna on my way here and she told me there was no need to see her again because whatever arrangement we had obviously ends with her going back into the games. I told her I loved her and she told me that we were just having fun; she told me that I didn't love her I was only paying for her. I know she loves me too but she won't admit it. She's scared and she's pushing me away. I told her I was coming to see you and she shrugged as if you didn't matter to her either. She told me she's not coming out because she could never kill Finnick. She will do whatever she can to make sure he goes home to Annie – rebellion or no rebellion. I'm scared for her," Corn tells me.

Corn shows me the list of living Victors that he has composed.

There are a total of fifty-nine still alive. The breakdown by District:

District 1: Female: 6 Male: 7

District 2: Female: 7 Male: 8

District 3: Female: 2 Male: 1

District 4: Female: 3 Male: 6

District 5: Female: 1 Male: 1

District 6: Female: 1 Male: 1

District 7: Female: 1 Male: 1

District 8: Female: 2 Male: 1

District 9: Female: 1 Male: 1

District 10: Female: 1 Male: 2

District 11: Female: 1 Male: 1

District 12: Female: 1 Male: 2

"These reapings will be rigged. I can pretty much pick out the victors that will be selected to go in. This is Snow's way of getting rid of essentially half the victors. All the victors whose names showed up as most rebellious will be reaped," Corn tells me.

He predicts that from District 1 and 2 they will pick the fiercest Victors – most likely Gloss, Cashmere, Enobaria and Augustus. Corn affirmatively tells me that Wiress will be the female tribute picked because she's always been rebellious; Snow has never liked her because she is too smart. District 4 will be Finnick and Annie - Finnick because his name was caught in the communication and Annie as another way to defeat Finnick. Cecilia will definitely get picked from 8 for same reasons as Finnick. Haymitch will get picked from District 12 along with Katniss. At least five Districts will have their Victors going in without any mentors, which means they will get no help once the games start. Corn and I decide to round up Gale, Haymitch and my dad for a planning meeting in my shed.

"Apart from Districts 1 and 2, District 4 will be the only one left with Victors that don't all have to travel to the Capitol for the Quarter Quell. Mags would be our best bet to stay behind in District 4 but I have a feeling if Finnick goes in she will mentor him. Even without Mags, Courtney and John can handle District 4, Paylor will be fine in District 8, Gale and Madge can handle 12, the Mayors from 3, 7, 9 and 11 are on board, Jenny and Alto's families can handle 5," Corn mutters almost to himself as he makes notes.

Haymitch pipes in, "So the Districts are going to rebel while the games are going on? That's a great idea."

Corn nods and says, "My dad is working with 13 to break the tributes out of the arena. In order to keep Snow's focus off the games, we will need all – or most of the Districts to rebel. We've got several ready already. Paylor is contacting the Mayors that will lead the rebellion." Corn turns to me and Gale and asks, "Can the two of you handle it here in District 12 along with the Mayor?"

Gale and I both nod. Obviously, we will need to put in a lot of planning but we can do this. The Quarter Quell is still a couple of months away; we have time to plan. Gale can talk to the miners and we can do this.

Finally, an uprising in District 12! I've dreamt of this my whole life and now it's finally going to happen. It's terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. We make some more plans and get ready to call it a night.

Corn says, "Madge, you realize that Snow will retaliate. I'm not sure what he'll do. You've seen what he did to 8 and 13."

Haymitch adds in, "It will be big! But, these two are smart enough to know when something is coming. Just make sure, Madge that you're in-charge of the town. Gale, you make sure you're in-charge of the seam. Those are the areas you know best."

"NO! If anything happens Madge and I are NOT splitting up." Gale declares to the whole room. Haymitch and Corn are about to say something when Gale pounds his fist on the table; he stands up and declares, "No, that is not up for negotiation. We stay together or this doesn't happen. We're both out!"

Normally I would be mad at anyone for speaking for me or making decisions for me but I trust Gale to make the right decisions for us. I link my hand with his to show support in his statement as I say, "Either we stick together or we're out."

A/N: When I was reading the books, I always wondered why Finnick got reaped (obviously to make the story interesting to the readers - but why in the book?) So I tried to tackle that above...presumably, Finnick was cooperating with Snow (about prostitution) and was making Snow a lot of money. I also assume that the reapings were rigged - it was Snow's way of getting rid of the Victors he didn't like. So hopefully what I've shown above makes sense with why Finnick got reaped - Snow had to have found out that Finnick was involved in inciting the rebellion. Annie, of course, would be another punishment for Finnick.