A/N: Hello everyone. Sorry about the long delay, it's a busy time of the year; I have no other excuses. Thank you for sticking with me. Thank you, all, for reading and reviewing.

Thank you, RoryFaller, for the beta, your support, and your awesome ideas.


Madge

I watch Corn pace as the lines of worry etch deeper into his forehead and his hands clench automatically every few seconds. "You don't have to look so smug," he stops pacing for a moment to glare at me and then continues, "You should've seen yourself when you found Gale."

I laugh and that makes Corn even angrier and more anxious so I stop immediately. "She's going to be excited to see you; don't worry, Corn," I say.

"Madge, you know Johanna. What if she's not? I'm not sure I can handle sarcasm from her right now." He frowns deeper and resumes his pacing.

I sigh and lean back on the pillows watching Corn pace. He's right about one thing, no one knows what to expect from Johanna. We don't have to wait long as muffled sounds of an argument outside our door come through. It's Johanna and Gale; we can't make out what either is saying though. Corn throws an anxious glance at me once again. I shrug my shoulders and offer a small smile back.

The door opens and an extremely frustrated Gale walks in. "Apparently, Plutarch and Haymitch had already told Johanna about both of you. She wanted to ask me about both of you as soon as she saw me and I stopped her. I don't know who she brought with her and now she refuses to tell me anything."

Gale takes a deep breath and turns to Corn; Gale raises his eyebrow at Corn as he asks, "You sure you want to marry her? She's something else."

I laugh and Corn glares at both of us as he says, "You haven't always been easy either; no wonder the two of you get along so well. So you have no idea who she brought with her?"

Gale shakes his head as he moves closer to me. He kisses my forehead and says, "It's a small, short girl with big brown hair and lots of make-up. Let me bring in Johanna and Annie. I didn't tell Annie anything about Finnick. She's pregnant and we don't want to shock her; maybe Johanna would be the best person to tell her. Are you ready?"

Corn and I both nod; I reach for Corn's hand because he looks nervous and I squeeze it to give him my support.

Gale walks in with just Johanna. Tears spring to her eyes right away as they move from my form on the bed onto Corn where they remain. Johanna's shaved head and bruised body bring tears to both mine and Corn's eyes too. Corn and Johanna hold each other's gaze and suddenly I feel like an intruder in my own room. I curse not being able to move around on my own and silently beg Gale to take me out of the room. He slightly shakes his head at me; I know he won't take me out because outside the door is a girl he doesn't know and he won't risk my security and safety to the unknown.

Gale clears his throat and Johanna rips her eyes away from Corn and looks at Gale. A silent conversation passes between them as he shakes his head first and then nods it only a moment later. A smile tugs at my lips watching this display of a true friendship and understanding of each other between Johanna and Gale. I knew Johanna and Gale would become great friends. Johanna takes a step forward to embrace me and with her left hand she covers my right hand that still holds onto Corn. I remove my hand out of their locked ones to hug Johanna and see Corn lace his fingers with hers.

As Johanna sits back from the embrace, I get a better look at the bruises on her body. Even months after rescue, her bruises look more horrific than Peeta's did at the height of his torture. I shudder to think of the types of torture she endured. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Corn's eyes cataloging each bruise visible.

Johanna stands up to face Corn with their hands still linked together. In this intimate moment between the two lovers, I feel very much like an intruder. I look to Gale and he shakes his head again. I know he feels the same but he won't risk my life.

Corn lifts his hand to touch the bruises on Johanna's neck just as she reaches out to finger the bruises on his arm from the lizard mutt. Corn pulls her closer to kiss her and I turn my eyes away from them to let them have this moment. Gale brushes my hair aside as he smiles at me. Even after knowing he only smiles like that for me, I still get butterflies in my stomach. Watching the smile light up his face, it's hard to remember anyone else is even in the room with us.

Johanna's voice breaks me out of my trance. "Corn, if you thought I was broken before then you have no idea anymore," Johanna has pulled away from Corn's embrace. She continues, "I'm not right for you anymore."

I'm about to say something when Corn cuts her off and says, "I love you, Johanna. Broken or whole, I want to be with you just the way you are." He quickly kisses her before she has a chance to say anything.

Corn goes down on one knee and asks, "Johanna Mason, I love you because of who you are. No one can change that about you or take it away from you. I promise to love you for the rest of my life. If you're broken I promise to make you whole again because apart we will both always be broken and together we will be whole. Will you…,"

Johanna cuts him off and says, "You don't even know everything I've been through. You haven't seen the rest of my body. These bruises on my neck are nothing compared to what I have everywhere else. It's not just my body…but my mind too; even my mind's bruised. I don't know if I can ever be happy."

Corn patiently waits for her to finish. Then he says, "Johanna Mason, will you marry me? I love you for you; your bruises are not going to deter me. Please don't belittle my love for you by asking me to even consider the bruises on your body or your mind. I will make you happy; you are the only person that can make me happy. So, Johanna Mason, will you marry me?"

Gale and I watch with bated breath waiting for Johanna's answer. Her denial will break Corn. Johanna looks back at Gale and as he nods in approval, I squeeze his hand. Tears spring to my eyes. Johanna bends down and helps Corn back up as she kisses him and says, "Yes, I will marry you. I l-love you too."

Corn produces a simple gold band with a small brown stone on it. This isn't the ring I wore that saved my life.

As Corn slides the ring on her finger he says, "I bought this ring for you when I first realized I had fallen in love with you. The stone in this ring is a Tiger's eye; it is very rare – just like you. The brown in this reminded me of your eyes and its qualities reminded me of you…the patience, focus, and determination you've exhibited in surviving and fighting for the rebellion…for the freedom. As the light hits the stone it changes. So can you…our love is the light. This stone helps keep the mind, body, and the soul calm."

Gale and I cheer and clap for them as Corn kisses her once again. For the first time ever, I see Johanna smile. They both wipe each other's tears and laugh together.

"I told you I was going to make her your sister one day," Corn says to me with a smile. We tell Johanna everything that has happened, starting from our rescue from District 12. Johanna agrees that Annie needs to be told carefully about Finnick especially since he's still in a coma. It would be a shame to get her hopes up if something happens to Finnick.

"I think her presence is exactly what he needs to snap out of the coma and start recovering. I think she would want to know," I argue for Annie. I've never met her, but from everything Finnick told me, I know she loves him. Finnick would want her close; her love will give her strength.

Johanna gets a gleam in her eyes and says, "Let me bring Annie and my guest in."

Gale grabs her arm and says, "Not until you tell us who she is."

Johanna shrugs his hand off and says, "Handsome, I'm not about to put Madge and Corn in danger. Believe me you'll want to meet my guest."

Johanna turns and walks out the door. Corn and I just shrug as Gale looks questioningly at us. Johanna introduces Annie to Corn and I; she had told her about both of us in District 13 already. Gale and I both eye Johanna's guest who just stares suspiciously at Corn. When her eyes flicker to mine, I feel like I should know her but I can't place her. Her eyes quickly move to Corn again.

Annie says, "I wish Finnick was here. He would've been really happy to see you alive, Madge." My eyes flicker to Johanna and I nod for her to tell Annie.

Annie sits on my bed as I hold her hand. Gale and Corn hover close to her. Johanna says, "Annie, I think you would want to know so I'm going to share something with you that I just found out too. I need you to stay strong for the baby."

Annie nods as her hands go protectively to the tiny bulge on her stomach. Johanna continues, "Corn and Madge rescued Finnick." Annie stands up excitedly, but Johanna gently pushes her back on the bed. "But, he is in a coma. He was severely injured when they brought him back here. He's doing better, but still in a coma."

Annie cries and says, "He's alive, though, and that's all that matters." She looks down to her stomach and as she rubs it she says, "Daddy's alive, little one. You're so lucky. You are going to have the world's greatest father. You'll be the most loved and spoiled child in the nation; he'll make sure of that."

I pat her arm reassuringly. A nurse takes Annie to Finnick's room; only one person at a time is allowed in there.

Johanna moves to her guest and removes her big, brown hair. When Johanna moves away from her guest, Gale and I both gasp at the blond haired, blue eyed little girl that stares back at us with tears in her eyes. She rushes to both of us and engulfs us in a hug.

"Madge, I'm so glad you're alive."

I laugh at that and say, "And I'm even happier that you're alive, Prim. But how were you still in District 13 when everyone thinks you died in the bombs here in the Capitol?" I ask flabbergasted.

Gale still looks flabbergasted; he hugs Prim closer.

"Coin called me in to tell me that she was happy with my work and asked me if I wanted to join the Medics Squad 342 that was being sent to the Capitol. I told her I needed to ask my mom and she said that she already talked to her. Coin told me that my mom was going on that squad to the Capitol as well. She led me to believe that my mom wanted me to go too, but needed Coin's permission. Which Coin would only grant after speaking to me personally. I was told to head straight to the hanger. Coin said my mom had already packed all my things and she would meet me at the hanger. I saw Rory on my way to the hanger and asked him to take care of buttercup since both mom and I would be gone. I wanted to come to the Capitol to be near Katniss."

I hug Prim closer thinking of Coin's manipulations with a child. I kiss Prim's cheek and encourage her to continue. "After I saw Rory I ran into Annie. She asked me how I had left my room since she had heard that I had been quarantined. You see, Madge, after Gale left, a flu-like fever infected several people in District 13. It was spreading so fast that everyone in contact with it had to be quarantined. Apparently Annie had been told that I was quarantined. She pulled me aside and said, 'Prim, I just saw your mom. She told me you had just been quarantined. She is really worried about you.'"

Gale interrupts and asks, "So, let me get this straight. Coin told your mom that you had been quarantined and she told you that your mom was leaving with Medics Squad 342 for the Capitol to get you to leave with them?" Prim nods and Gale's hands form fists and he looks angry. I reach out to calm him and he relaxes right away.

"Go ahead, Prim," I encourage her.

She takes a deep breath and says, "When I told Annie about my conversation with Coin, she convinced me that my mom had no plans of going to the Capitol. Annie took me to Johanna."

Johanna cuts in, "And I hid her. Coin thought Prim left with the other Medics. I would have told Mrs. Everdeen but I didn't want to endanger Prim. It wasn't exactly easy hiding Prim with how strict they are about food and clothes and everything else in District 13. I would have told her mom before she went to the Capitol had I known she was going to the Capitol. I didn't dare tell anyone on the phone."

Gale hugs Prim again and says, "You did the right thing, Johanna. I'm relieved you are alright, Prim. Now we need to find a way to tell Katniss. Her room is bugged and she is on so many drugs that I'm not sure anything would really register in her mind right now."

"Why is she drugged?" Prim asks worried.

I pull her down on my bed as I take her hand and say, "Because she loves you, sweetie. She thinks you died and she's sad."

"I have to go to Katniss right away," Prim says.

"I'm sorry, Prim, you can't. It's not safe for you to go out of this bunker, just like Madge and Corn. I promise I'll find a way to tell Katniss, but I won't let anything happen to you. Katniss left you in my care and until I can deliver you safely to a functioning Katniss, you're my responsibility."

Prim hugs Gale and says, "You've been a true older brother. You've done more for Katniss and me than even family members would have, if we had any."

I wipe the tears that fall out of my eyes at her declaration. Gale needed to hear that because it is the truth. Maybe now he'll give himself some credit rather than just criticism.

Johanna leaves to check on Annie and when she returns she says, "Annie is fast asleep next to Finnick on his bed. The nurse told me that she sang a song to Finnick and her baby before falling asleep."

The next day Gale carries me out of my room. To my questioning look he answers, "It's a surprise; don't ruin it by asking questions."

He opens a door to another room in the bunker and says, "Surprise!"

I gasp as I see Finnick sitting up in a bed. "Finnick!" Corn and Johanna are already here as well.

Gale laughs at my enthusiasm to jump out of his arms to hug Finnick. He sets me down on the ridiculously large bed beside Finnick. Annie sits on his other side with her head on Finnick's chest and her arm around his waist.

Finnick kisses the top of Annie's head and says, "Thank you, Madge, for saving me. Did you know I'm going to be a father soon?"

I laugh and say, "Yes, I just found out last night. I'm glad you're finally awake because you gave us several scares. I knew Annie would bring you back."

Annie looks up at Finnick and smiles as he bends his head down to kiss her. "Yes, it's the power and magic of love. That's what Dr. Aurelius called it this morning. All I needed was Annie. Thank you, Madge. Once again, you've given me Annie."

We laugh, talk, and bring Finnick up to speed on everything that has happened. An older nurse, who is obviously smitten with Finnick, walks in to check his vitals. As she walks closer to the bed, Annie and I both scoot away a little from Finnick to give her space. The nurse takes out a stethoscope and places one end on Finnick's chest. Her cheeks turn a deep shade of red and Finnick winks at her; for a moment, I'm afraid she may pass out. I see Gale and Corn roll their eyes at Finnick. Annie gives Finnick a stern look and he mouths a sorry to her.

"Sorry, beautiful, my wife won't let me flirt anymore," he says to the nurse.

The nurse steps back and in her capitol accent, she says, "Honey, you are lucky to be alive. This one is special; you don't need to flirt with anyone else. I'd hold on to her tightly."

"You don't have to tell me twice, beautiful," he says to the nurse as he pulls Annie to his chest again. "I love you, mermaid." Now it's Annie's turn to blush at the use of his sweet nickname for her in front of all of us.

We know it's our cue to leave as Annie and Finnick get lost in a kiss and no amount of throat clearing brings them up for air.

Gale carries me out once again. As the door to Finnick's room closes behind us, I slowly lift my left hand and put it around his neck. Gale looks at me surprised and I shrug my shoulders as I say, "It's the power and magic of your love."

"I love you, my princess," he says.

The smile he gives me takes my breath away. My fingers, on their own accord, reach up to touch his face. Gale's slate gray eyes darken with what I've come to recognize as passion for me and he bends his head down to capture my lips. I pull myself up further by tightening my hold around his neck and get lost in the feel of his lips on mine. Gale's fingertips dig into my shoulder and wrap tighter around my knees. I smile into the kiss because I know that he wants me as much as I want him. The feeling is euphoric that even after all the months of separation, even after all the horrific things he's seen in the war…even after everything, he wants me more than anything else. Gale says we need to take it slow and grow back together, but in a moment like this I can't remember that we've ever been apart…it's like we've just picked up exactly where we left off.

Gale deepens the kiss and holds me closer to his body making me forget that we're still in the hallway outside Finnick's room. Someone clears their throat – a sound that's becoming increasingly annoying. Gale and I seem to get caught kissing a lot. We both look up at the same time into Haymitch's apologetic eyes and Katniss' surprised ones.


A/N: So, had anyone guessed Prim as Johanna's guest?

What did you think of Corn's proposal? I know Johanna is not as brash in this chapter, but I think she is ready to heal and love...yes/no? I also changed the ring, I think Johanna deserves a ring unique to her and not worn by someone else even if it is Madge.

Annie and Finnick?

Now, on to Katniss' reaction to Madge/Gale and Prim!