The following day back in District 13 there's a large commotion in Command when Beetee breaks through the feed and figures out a way to broadcast the propos nationwide. Everyone gathers in Command and watches as he attempts to hack into the system, Gale by Madge's side and Katniss a few steps up from them closer to the monitor with Finnick by her side.

Soon enough a Capitol seal appears while the anthem plays, and then Snow is on screen and Madge shudders, and then Peeta is there too. He's sitting up high in a chair and he looks awful. Absolutely horrible. Sunken features and dead eyes and he's twitchy, as though someone off screen is watching him and making sure he doesn't make any wrong moves.

Madge attempts to step forward to Katniss when she feels a hand on her shoulder. She looks back and finds Boggs and he gives her a firm shake. "Let her stand with Finnick," he murmurs. Madge nods and feels Gale tangling his fingers with hers in reassurance.

She directs her eyes back to the screen where Peeta's going on again about how a cease-fire is the best route for the nation, talking about all the damage that's been done so far, and then all of a sudden Katniss is on screen.

"He did it!" Plutarch jumps to his feet. "Beetee broke in!"

Madge looks up at Gale and smiles and he smiles back before both of their eyes are on screen again. Because of the way Beetee managed to get on he can only get a few clips in every couple of seconds, short clips that he's specifically chosen to make the most impact. Katniss in the rubble of District 12, Katniss singing The Hanging Tree, it goes on and on.

At the mention of Katniss's name Peeta pauses, his eyebrows coming together as though he's trying his hardest to focus on something. "Katniss," he rasps. "How do you think this will end?" Madge watches Finnick turning his head to look at Katniss beside him and Madge again resists the urge to step forward to her friend. "What will be left? No one is safe. Not in the Capitol. Not in the districts. And you… in 13…" Madge feels Gale's presence behind her as though Peeta's words can cut through the screens and get them here. Gale's hand wraps around her waist and Madge looks up at him, but Gale's eyes are trained on the screen. Madge rests her hand over Gale's and he lets out a short breath. "Dead by morning!"

Madge's head snaps back to the screen. "End it!" Snow shouts. And then there are boots, and a cry of pain, and blood splattered on the tiles that are still in view.


Gale and Madge exchange a look and a nod before he sprints away, off to find his family. Madge feels a heavy hand on her shoulder and turns to find Haymitch standing there with worry in his eyes.

"I won't be down there for a while," he tells her. "But you need to go." Madge opens her mouth to protest – she can't be down there on her own! – when Haymitch places his other hand on her other shoulder. "It's not safe here, Sweetheart," he says. But that's not enough, it's not enough. She shakes her head and again goes to open her mouth but he shakes his head. "It's not an argument, it's an order Soldier Undersee."

Soldier Undersee. Madge takes a deep breath and remembers where she is. Her eyes flicker past Haymitch to Coin who looks steady and composed as everyone rushes around her. Now is not the time for panic. Everyone else is panicking but Madge can't, not now. She takes another deep breath and nods her head sharply. Gale's already left, Katniss too. Madge has to go to the bunker.

"And you'll be safe?" she asks him. Her voice catches in her throat. Sometimes it's easier to look calm than to actually be calm. He nods his head and she nods again too. "Okay."

"You can do it Sweetheart," he murmurs, squeezing her shoulders.

And then she's off. Madge has to take the stairwell to get back to the normal pathways in District 13 but then she follows the flow, the steady push and pull of people urging themselves forward to the bunker. The air is sticky and warm from everyone taking panicked breaths and speaking back and forth with the people they love, the walls blink with yellow lights and fill the air. The alarm rings again and again, reminding everyone to stay calm but move quickly. Her heart is hammering and soon she's in another stairwell moving quickly down the steps.

The closer people get to the bunker the more aggressive people get, starting to push past each other and elbowing one another out of the way. Madge gets knocked in the nose by a stranger and staggers, nearly falling over before another stranger catches her and guides her back on the right path. And then she's in the bunker, keeping her eyes peeled for the signs that will guide her to her assigned bunk.

As she hurries her eyes manage to find Gale amongst the struggle. She watches him for a few seconds, the way he's rocking a sobbing Posy in his arms and stroking her hair gently as he tries to calm her down, before someone knocks into her. "To your bunk, Solider," they grunt, and Madge nods sharply before scurrying away again – too relieved that Gale and his family are safe underground. Soon enough she finds her bunk and sits on the edge of the mattress to catch her breath.

Madge lifts her hand to her nose, relieved that it didn't start bleeding when she was elbowed in the face, and sighs. Her eyes search for Katniss in the direction where her bunk should be and she sighs in relief as she spots all three of the Everdeens. The commotion of the bunker is in full force for the next couple of minutes before the bunker doors are sealed shut. Then the noise begins to dwindle and soon everyone is quiet. The air feels heavy.

Sher nearly jumps out of her skin when the first bomb hits. After that she curls into her bunk and squeezes her eyes shut, trying to wait it out.

Haymitch will come soon, she thinks. Gale is keeping his family calm. Katniss is okay too. Her thoughts stray a moment before she thinks of Thom and then she sits up quickly, just in time for a soft hand to find her shoulder. Madge jumps again but finds Thom standing there with a gentle smile on his face as he sits on the edge of the bed. "Hey," he says softly.

Madge relaxes. "I was just going to look for you," she says.

He arches a dark eyebrow at her. "Were you?" he asks, and she nods. Madge sits up slightly and winces when another bomb hits. "I thought you'd be with Gale or Katniss," Thom says, his eyes scanning the area.

"They're with their families." Which reminds her, "Where's yours?"

"Everyone's fine. Over at their assigned spot," Thom says, gesturing down the row. Madge strains her neck until she finds his siblings huddled together. "You were alone. And you're my family, too." Madge looks back to Thom and finds a soft smile on his face.

It's been so long since she's even talked to him, to hear Thom refer to her as his family makes Madge want to weep with joy. She knows that she's been distant ever since the bombing of 12. She's thrown herself into Command, into helping Katniss, into healing since her mother's passing. She's barely even seen Thom. But he's always been there for her, and having him by her side now is nothing but reassuring. She reaches out to grab his hand and he squeezes back.

"I'm sorry," Madge whispers.

"Stop," he shushes her almost immediately. "You know you've always got me," he says. She opens her mouth but he stops her, "And I know I've always got you. Even when things are rough." She nods, needing him to understand that. Always. "That's what family's for." She nods again and squeezes his hand another time before inching over on her bunk, gesturing for him to join her side. Thom climbs onto the mattress and they rest against the headboard, he throws his arm around her shoulder and she leans into his side. "So how's working for the Mockingjay?"

And just like that, he's made her feel safe again.

Thom fills her in on all she's missed. His relationship with Delly, his training for war in the same unit as Gale (and their hilarious and unlikely friendship that's formed from it), his family's small compartment. His voice is gentle, and every time another bomb hits he squeezes her shoulder to remind her that she's safe. Madge talks too, about her trip back to District 12, her journey to District 8, her relationship with Gale, and Thom listens intently. She touches on the subject of her mother, admitting that she's been seeing a therapist, and Thom smiles brightly.

"I didn't want to push you," he murmurs. "I knew you'd go when you were ready."

"Well Gale kind of tricked me into it," Madge admits, "but I'm glad I'm going."

"Me too."

A few hours pass and Madge drifts in and out of sleep, always waking when the bunker shakes. Thom nudges her a little at one point and she opens her eyes to find Gale standing at the edge of the bed with Posy in his arms. "Hey," Madge says, sitting up and leaning forward. She looks over at Thom and he smiles.

"I can go," he tells her. Thom tips his head at Gale who responds similarly, both of them sharing a smile. "I'll see you soon," he tells Madge before disappearing back to his family

"We just wanted to come over and say hello," Gale says softly. He sinks on the edge of Madge's bed and she can hear Posy sniffling. There's so much more in Gale's eyes than what he's saying. Sorry I wasn't by earlier. I'm so relieved that you're here, that you're safe. We're going to be okay. "Wanted to take a little walk."

"Well I'm glad you came by," Madge says, mostly for Posy. "I'm all alone here. It was nice of Thom to stop over." Posy tilts her head in Madge's direction and she finds the little girl's eyes are full of tears. Madge looks back up at Gale, then down at his sister again. "You want me to do your hair, Posy? My momma always used to do my hair when I was little."

"Like how?" Posy asks, swatting at her eyes.

"Mostly a lot of braids," Madge says. "You want me to braid your hair?" Posy looks toward Gale as if for conformation and he nods, allowing her to crawl across the bed to Madge. Trying to steady her own nerves and keep Posy calm at the same time Madge makes sure to keep talking. "You know," she says as she runs her fingers through Posy's locks. "Gale always makes me feel safe. Doesn't he make you feel safe too?"

"Mm-hm," she nods. Posy sniffles.

"Why's he make you feel safe?"

"He's big and strong," Posy says softly. Madge looks over at Gale who's watching the two of them with a gentle smile on his face. "He always comes home at the end of the day."

"You're right about all of those things," Madge says. She starts braiding Posy's hair, making sure to take her time. "I was with him when the scary fires happened in District 12," Madge tells her. "And Gale made sure I was safe then. Ever since he's always kept me safe." After a moment of silence, Posy giggles. "Why's that funny?"

"It's because he loves you," Posy says. She turns her head to look at Madge, causing Madge to drop the strands of hair. "Sorry," Posy giggles, but Madge is smiling. "He does, though."

Madge taps her nose. "He loves you, too."

"But he's gonna marry you," she counters with another giggle. Posy's eyes dart to Madge's hand that still has her mother's ring on it. "You're gonna marry him, right?"

"Maybe one day," Gale answers from the end of the bed. He's stretched out a little now, propping himself up on his elbow to look at two of the girls he holds very close to his heart. Posy giggles again and looks back at her brother. "You think she'd say yes if I asked her, Pose?" Gale wonders. Madge's eyes lift up to Gale as well and she finds him watching her.

"She would!" Posy cheers. She looks over her shoulder at the blonde but it takes Madge a moment to look back down at her. "Wouldn't you, Madge?"

"We're, um," Madge's face feels hot. Would she marry Gale if he asked tomorrow? In a week? A month? "We're still a little young," Madge finally says. Posy pouts. Before Madge can add more to the conversation another bomb hits, causing the entire bunker to shake. Posy squeaks and dives toward Madge, wrapping her tiny arms around her waist. Quickly Madge holds Posy close and Gale moves down the bed toward them. "Hey, it's okay," Madge says as she rubs Posy's back.

Gale takes the spot beside Madge where Thom had been seated earlier and drapes one arm around Madge's shoulders, the other lifting to rest on Posy's back. "We're safe," he murmurs just loud enough for Posy. "I'm here with you." The entire bunker shakes and Madge takes a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut and hold Posy as close as she can. Gale dips down and his lips graze Madge's ear. "We're safe," he whispers before kissing her cheek. She nods her head weakly. "And don't worry," he says even softer. "I won't ask you to marry me until the war's over."

Madge opens her eyes then and looks at her boyfriend. Immediately he bends down and kisses her gently causing her to gasp. After that he redirects his attention to Posy, murmuring again and again that they were safe. And with Gale beside her, Madge believes it's true.


Hours later Posy's nestled between Madge and Gale with her hair finally braided and her shoes at the foot of the bed, and she's fast asleep. Gale twirls his fingers through Madge's hair with his nose against her temple. "Did you mean it?" she whispers. She turns to face Gale and their noses bump. He doesn't answer right away. "Gale."

"I love you," he tells her softly. "I love you, and I don't know where we're—the country I mean, I don't know where we're going. But I know we're going to win this war and I want you beside me wherever we end up." She searches his eyes trying to find some sort of hesitation but he holds her gaze. "I love you," Gale says again. "That's what I know."

"I love you," Madge whispers back. "But we're—I'm not even 18. I didn't finish school, Gale." She shakes her head. "We're young and the war—"

"I love you," Gale says again, as though that can solve everything. "There's no rush, Madge," he murmurs. He lifts his hand from Posy's back and cups Madge's cheek. "I don't want to rush. But when we're safe, and this is over, you're the one I want." He shakes his head and his eyebrows come together. "We wasted so much time, and that's my fault, and I don't want to waste any more time." He tilts her chin up to kiss her gently. "That's my plan."

"It's a nice plan," she breathes.

He smiles a little. "Isn't it?" Gale kisses her again.

"But I'm just—" another bomb cuts her off and Posy twitches in her sleep. Gale pins his forehead to Madge's. "I'm scared," she whispers. Madge closes her eyes but Gale stays close. "I'm scared something horrible is going to happen, and I'm scared you'll regret it, and I'm just scared."

He lets out a short breath as another bomb falls, shaking the bunker. "We can be scared together," he murmurs. Gale reaches up, brushing his thumb over her cheek. "You don't have to say yes," he tells her quietly. "It's not like I'm asking right now. But one day." He kisses her and as he pulls away she opens her eyes. "We said we'd last this time," Gale reminds her. "When we were in your room. That we'd make it." Madge nods slowly and he smiles again. "I want that to follow through." Gale kisses her another time and smiles. "I could never regret you, Madge. Just the wasted time."


Haymitch comes sometime in the middle of the night, waking Gale as quietly as he can and telling him to take Posy back to their own bunks. "They're doing rounds soon," Haymitch tells him. "It'll be easier for everyone if you and your sister are where you should be."

Gale nods and stands, stretching and cracking his back before bending back down. He kisses Madge's forehead and she blinks, looking up at him with bleary eyes. "See you soon," Gale whispers and she smiles sleepily at him. Then he scoops Posy delicately into his arms, his little sister snoring as she shifts, and nods his head at Haymitch before grabbing Posy's shoes at the foot of the bed and making his way back to his family's bunk.

Haymitch settles onto the edge of Madge's bed, resting his hand on her ankle. "Almost over?" she asks with a yawn.

He nods his head. "I think so, Sweetheart." Madge smiles and curls more onto her side. "Can I talk to you about something?" Haymitch asks. Madge blinks a few more times, slowly propping herself up on her palm before sitting up. "There's a plan in the works," he tells her once she's sitting. Madge rubs at her eyes to keep herself awake. "They were talking about it tonight."

"Okay," she yawns again. "What is it?"

"They want to get Peeta out," Haymitch says. Madge sits upright immediately. "They want to send in a team." She looks at Haymitch, waiting for the punchline that never comes. "Volunteer only, but we think it's necessary at this point."

"I volunteer," Madge says. "Me! I'll go!"

"Shhh," he shushes her and looks around at nearby bunks. "Like hell I'd let you go." Madge frowns but Haymitch shakes his head. "It's too risky, you need to stay for Katniss. To make sure she doesn't find out until it's done. That's why I'm telling you." Madge shakes her head and so does Haymitch. "You're not going, Sweetheart. But I trust you with this information. Is that clear?"

"Why can't I go?" she asks. "What if Boggs wants me to go?" Madge is still shaking her head. "You can't tell me that I can't go, Haymitch!"

He places his hands on her shoulders. "I'm telling you that you can't go," Haymitch says.

"Haymitch!"

"Lower your voice," he snaps, holding her shoulders just a bit harder. "You aren't going and that's the end of it," he growls. "It's too risky and I'm not risking your life on that, Madge."

"Boggs will want me out eventually," she levels. "I'm just as capable as any other soldier who will go! Haymitch—"

"She can't lose you both," Haymitch says. Madge slackens. "If something goes wrong, Katniss can't lose you both."

Madge lets out a shaky breath but nods her head. She knows that Haymitch is right, but that doesn't mean she doesn't want to go. Madge knows how important Peeta is to Katniss, she loves him, and if Madge could help bring him back that would do wonders for her. Madge's entire existence is solely to make sure Katniss gets what she wants, that she's safe and happy and not worrying. Madge needs to make things as perfect for the Mockingjay as she can, and getting Peeta back would help.

But on that same exact branch, keeping Katniss calm during the entire mission would be the other end of that. And that's manageable.

"I'll go, then," they both hear. Madge and Haymitch turn, finding Gale standing in front of them.

Haymitch lowers his hands from Madge's shoulders. "I told you to go back to your bunk," Haymitch growls.

"Posy's sock came off," Gale answers. His eyes flicker past the two of them where one small sock is sitting on the sheets. Madge turns to grab it and carefully passes it over to Gale whose eyes have turned hard. "Peeta's my friend," Gale says as he pockets the sock. "One of the only friends I've got left that didn't die in the bombing."

Madge looks toward Haymitch and says, "No."

"He doesn't control me," Gale says before Haymitch can say anything. "If I want to volunteer, then I can."

Madge keeps her eyes on Haymitch. "Tell him no," she orders, but Haymitch doesn't respond. "Haymitch!" She snaps her head back to Gale. "If I'm not going then neither are you," she demands. Madge leaps to her feet and steps close. "If I'm not going then you're not going," she says, grabbing onto his shirt. Gale's eyes flicker to Haymitch, then back to Madge. "You have your siblings," Madge tells him. "Three of them. All younger, and scared, and—and your mom." Madge fists the fabric to pull him closer. "You can't go."

"If it clears," Gale tells her gently, "and I'm allowed, then I'm going Madge." He looks over at Haymitch. "Make sure my name's on the list." Haymitch tips his head in acknowledgement and Madge feels her knees go weak. "Why would you be so quick to volunteer but then not want me to go?" Gale asks, tugging her slightly away from Haymitch.

"How long were you standing there?" she asks.

Gale's shoulders lift. "Not from the beginning, but I could piece it together." She looks away from him, her hands dropping from his shirt. "Peeta's my friend," Gale says another time. "Before he volunteered for the Quell," he tells her, "he told me he was going to. I tried to stop him but he didn't want that. And he told me that I had to be here for Katniss. That's what I'm doing, I'll be honoring that wish by helping bring him home to her." Madge's eyes water and she dips her head into a nod. "It'll be fine, Madge. You said you had the training and guess what," he cups her cheek so she looks at him. "I have the training, too."

She sniffles before she can cry. "You have more on the line," she rasps.

"I have more to come back to," he corrects. "Including you and that whole promise I made you earlier." She nods weakly. "We can talk about it more later." He glances over his shoulder toward his family. "I should get back though." Madge nods again and he leans down to kiss her. "I love you," he reminds her. She smiles, but it's faint. "I'll see you in the morning."

Gale kisses her another time before leaving her standing by her bunk. It takes a few seconds but eventually she moves back to sit on the edge of the bed beside Haymitch. Suddenly she knows what it's like, why he was so quick to tell her she couldn't go. It's the same feeling in her chest now that Gale wants to go. If Madge went, she'd be able to control her own destiny. If anything would happen to her it would've been something she could've handled. But someone she cares about? The list of what could go wrong feels never-ending now.

"It's his choice, Madge," Haymitch says as she settles.

"But not mine," she croaks.

He sighs, resting a heavy hand on her back. "I'm sorry." She shakes her head. He shouldn't be. Haymitch is right. Madge needs to stay because that was her promise to Katniss, and Gale needs to go because that was his to Peeta. "Get some more rest, Sweetheart," he murmurs.

Madge sinks back down onto the mattress with a heavy heart. She doesn't fall asleep for a long time.


A/N: Time for a long Author's Note!

Hello friends! I honestly really swear that I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update. I always tell myself that I'll work on this story and always forget because life is a thing that happens. This story has been around for such a long time and it's so close to the end, I promise that no matter how long it takes I will finish this story! My goal was to have it finished before I leave for the summer but considering that's in thirteen days I highly doubt that's going to happen.

Regardless, I will finish this fic. I swear to you, if you're still reading for stumble across this story in the future. It will be done!

Among that, I haven't read Mockingjay in like, forever, and we're getting to the part I'm not so clear on. So while this story is going to follow generally the same time frame as Mockingjay and have generally the same events, there's going to be a lot of straying as well. I hope that's okay with you! I like making it a little different anyway. Mockingjay is super sad and not happy.

I hope if you're still reading this fic that you're enjoying it! I promise to update as soon as I can. I hope you're all having wonderful lives and doing happy things, my heart is with you. Enjoy yourself! I send you my love. x Jenn