A/N: Thank you for R/R and keeping my inspiration going!

I want to apologize ahead of time because this chapter jumps around a lot - I had a lot to cover and I wanted to draw out some parts and only mention others. If I left out something you'd like to see drawn out - let me know and I'll do it. I just didn't want this to get overly long and boring for anyone.

Once again, thank you, RoryFaller and Schur655 for the beta and conversations that help shape this chapter.

I suppose it's safe to say that the rest of the story will be AU - all because of Prim..:-).


Gale

As I lay Madge down on her bed, I see out of the corner of my eye that Katniss has quietly followed us in too. I kiss Madge's forehead and stand up; Madge eyes me concerned by Katniss' silence as Katniss stands by the door, curiously observing us.

"Katniss," I say to start some dialogue in the otherwise silent room.

"How long?" she asks coldly - completely ignoring any happiness she should feel at finding Madge alive.

Before Madge can answer, just as coldly, I reply, "Shouldn't you at least show some happiness or shock at finding Madge alive? She is one of your best friends, after all."

"I think I've had enough shock to last me a lifetime. I guess I can stop wondering why you haven't come by to see me the last few days."

"Katniss, let us explain…," Madge starts.

Katniss interrupts with venom in her voice, "Explain what, Madge?" She takes a step closer to Madge.

I step closer to Madge and take her hand. "Talk to me, Katniss. You're mad at me, not Madge." Madge squeezes my hand.

"How long?"

"How long, what?" I ask confused. How long have I known Madge is alive, how long have I been in love with her, how long…

"How long have you two been together? What I saw outside and what I see in here…," she takes a deep breath and continues as she looks me straight in the eyes, "This isn't new, is it?"

I shake my head and say, "No. I've been in love with Madge for a long time."

Her hands clench into fists and she asks again, "How long?"

"Since you went into the games…the first time," I reply. Granted this isn't how I wanted to tell Katniss – and some of her anger is justified – I won't hide or lie to her. I want her to know about me and Madge.

Before I have even a moment to process anything, Katniss catches me off-guard and punches me in the face. My nose begins to bleed immediately. Madge rushes to help me.

"Are you okay?" Madge asks me, her voice laced with love and concern.

"Madge, you're standing," I exclaim and immediately hug her.

Madge ignores my happiness or this victory for herself; she wipes the blood on my face with her sleeve and asks again, "Are you okay?"

I nod and hug her. The only thing that matters to me is that she's standing on her own and she took the two steps to get to me. I look up at Katniss as she carefully watches us and my happiness extends to Katniss too. "Katniss, you have no idea how big this is. Madge was partially paralyzed from bullet wounds. She just stood up on her own for the first time since she was shot."

Katniss glares back and says, "You've both made a fool out of me."

Madge turns in my arms and I help her back to the bed; Madge looks pale as all color drains from her face at this sudden movement. She may have her movements back, but she's still weak from not fully using her body. As I lower her on the bed, Madge says, "Katniss, we wanted to tell you, but…"

Once again, Katniss interrupts and says, "But, what? It was too much fun to watch me struggle with my feelings between Peeta and Gale?"

"Katniss, first of all, don't talk to Madge that way. Secondly, neither of us knew you were struggling with your feelings. You never talked to either of us," I say.

"Well, I was. I kept both you and Peeta at arm's length so I wouldn't hurt either of you until I sorted my feelings for both of you. And you…you went behind my back. You've made a fool out of me."

"Katniss, I can explain everything," Madge tries to reason once again with an angry Katniss.

"Madge, you were supposed to be my friend. You weren't supposed to steal Gale away from me. He was never yours to steal; you had no right." Katniss turns around to leave the room. Anger courses through my body. How dare she talk to Madge that way? I'm not hers…I've been Madge's for years – since before I even met Katniss.

"I've been in love with Gale since I was ten years old, well before you ever met him," Madge says softly.

Katniss stops abruptly and turns around even angrier than before. "What? How could you have possibly known Gale? I introduced you to him when I brought you strawberries the first time."

"Katniss, our fathers were planning for the rebellion and their plans included both Madge and I going into the games together. But that changed when my dad died. This is a long story and if you just let us explain, you'll understand how many times Madge has saved your life."

Katniss looks to Madge and then me briefly before her eyes settle on our joined hands once again. "I don't owe Madge anything and I don't want to talk to her. I would like to speak to you alone, Gale."

"No! Whatever you have to say, say it in front of Madge," I declare.

"Gale, it's alright," Madge says and before I can protest, she presses the button, next to her bed, to summon a nurse. Corn and Johanna walk in and take in the tense atmosphere in the room.

"Katniss, what are you doing? Don't say or do anything you'll regret later. You're angry right now. Walk away; if you want, I will explain it all to you," Johanna says – her eyes dancing between Madge and Katniss. Then she turns to Madge and says, "Madge, why don't you come with us and give Katniss and Gale a moment alone?"

Madge nods; Katniss turns angrily to Johanna and asks, "You know Madge?"

"Yes, I met her before I met you or Gale; we're friends."

Corn picks up Madge from her bed and I walk closer to her as I say, "Madge, you don't have to leave. I want you to stay."

She smiles at me and says, "I know. You need to do this." I kiss her forehead and watch Corn, Johanna and Madge disappear.

"Who else knew about you two?" Katniss asks me as soon as they're out the door.

"I don't know, Katniss. I guess a lot of people knew; both our families have known from the beginning and approved. Madge and I wanted to tell you right away when you came back, but you didn't want to really talk to us about anything. I knew you were going through a lot in your head; I tried to get you to talk to me, but I didn't get anywhere with you."

Katniss sits down looking defeated and mumbles almost to herself, "I've been confused about my feelings for Peeta and you; I've kept you both at arm's length and you've been in love with Madge the whole time? And everyone knew!"

"Katniss, I'm sorry. You don't know how many times I wanted to tell you. I understand your anger and I know you feel betrayed. I felt similarly when I saw you and Peeta holding hands in the chariot, when he declared his love for you, and all the times you kissed him in the arena."

"That's not fair, Gale. All that was for the games…it was about surviving."

"Was it? Was it all just about surviving?" I ask.

"I don't know. I've been trying to ask myself that same question. Did Peeta know?"

"Yes, he and Madge are good friends. He helped her and he was there for her the night I was whipped. He only found out after I left your house and went to see Madge. He saw us ki-t-together. That was a difficult time for Madge and…,"

Katniss stands up angrily again and says, "MADGE? I-DON'T-WANT-TO-TALK-ABOUT-MADGE! She had no right – she stole you while I was…,"

My fists clench; if my mother hadn't raised me to respect girls, I may have punched Katniss. I take a deep breath to control myself. No one speaks about Madge that way; NO ONE! "Katniss, you don't know the first thing about Madge or about loving someone. If you don't want to talk about Madge then I think you and I are done talking." I take another deep breath; it's all I can do to keep my anger in check.

Katniss turns around and stomps out the door without another word. I don't know how long Haymitch had been standing at the door, but he looks up at me as he says, "Katniss, wait!" Haymitch disappears behind her.


At night, with Madge in my arms, I wonder once again for the hundredth…thousandth time what would have become of me if I didn't have Madge's love, gentleness, and care in my life. I softly brush Madge's hair off her face and fall asleep happy that Madge is alive and she loves me.

I wake up with a groan, "Go away, Jo." God it was so much nicer before she came here; now I never get enough time with Madge.

"Rise and shine, handsome and princess," Johanna demands. I almost miss the grumpy, sad Johanna.

"Johanna!" Madge exclaims startling awake, embarrassed from our tangled arms and legs. She shoots up, the top of her head hitting my chin on the way up.

Johanna laughs as Madge rubs her head and I rub my chin. Great, now we're both up and in pain; Madge needs to rest. "I thought I told the nurses to not come in and disturb Madge until I told them she was awake."

"Handsome, you don't really think a handful of nurses can stop me, do you?" Johanna raises her eyebrow in a challenge. Before either of us can say anything, she continues, "Hurry up and get dressed, handsome. Our little Mockingjay needs you. Snow's execution has been announced for today and Haymitch said that Katniss will shoot him because she wants to be the one to kill him."

Don't, Katniss. And then I remember that I'm mad at Katniss. "That's Katniss' decision. I can't do anything about it."

Madge turns to me, her hand cups my cheek as she says, "Gale, she's still your friend. Don't let her do this. She'll hate herself later for killing…even if it is Snow. You and Prim are the only two people that can stop her. Prim can't go there; you have to."

I cover her hand with mine and say, "Madge, I can forgive her anything for the sake of our friendship, but I won't let her insult you…,"

Madge quickly quiets me with a kiss. "She's hurt and jealous; she doesn't mean it." Madge practically pushes me out the door to go talk to Katniss. Corn and Finnick assure me they'll stay with Madge and Prim at all times.

I turn to Finnick and Corn as I say, "I promise to not let Annie or Johanna out of my sight until we come back here." I wink at Johanna as she glares at me. If looks could kill. But I get the desired affect from Madge; she giggles.

Johanna and Annie fill me in on the meeting Coin had with all the surviving Victors about the hunger games for children from the Capitol. I shake my head at Coin's games. She's no different than Snow.

"Coin's looking for Katniss' support along with all the other Victors because she was told about the elections," Johanna explains.

Katniss, don't let Coin use your anger like she did mine!

Coin guides Johanna and Annie onto the balcony to watch the execution. Katniss flatly refuses to let me into her room so I stand outside her door and say, "Katniss, don't do this. You don't need to be the one to kill Snow; let them find another way to execute Snow. You'll never be happy having his blood on your hands. You can hate me, but don't let others take advantage of your anger and hatred."

I wait and there's still no answer. I let my forehead rest on her door…waiting for her to open it. Paylor finds me and guides me to the balcony to watch the execution. Clearly she's not pleased with the way things are progressing either.

I take a seat on the balcony, next to Johanna. She squeezes my hand in support and understanding. Katniss comes out into the main square, dressed in the Mockingjay suit. I can't watch; I can't watch Katniss kill someone, even if it is Snow. I lower my head and only lift it as I hear a scream next to me; I watch Coin's limp body fall off the balcony.

Katniss shot Coin? Everything happens very quickly after that. Katniss is escorted away by soldiers as she screams my name. Snow's laughter rings out louder than Katniss' screams; he chokes on the blood dripping out of his mouth and dies coughing. Chaos ensues immediately.


Johanna, Annie and I finally make it back to the underground bunker where Corn, Finnick, Madge and Prim have been hiding. Finnick and Corn immediately rush to Annie and Johanna as I make my way over to Madge, sitting next to a sleeping Prim.

Madge puts her finger on her lips and softly says, "Prim just fell asleep; she was quite distraught after first hearing that Katniss was here yesterday and then about Katniss killing Coin. Dr. Aurelius came back a couple of hours ago and told us everything that happened. How are you?"

I hug Madge and say, "She wouldn't talk to me; Katniss didn't even open her door to let me in. And then she shot Coin. This is exactly what everyone has been trying to avoid…people taking decisions into their own hands."

I carry Madge away from Prim; she wants to stand on her own so I set her down. I continue, "I don't know what will happen to Katniss. Everything is a mess. Katniss stormed out of here without ever learning that Prim is alive; she shot and killed Coin. Snow died. The rebels had initially taken over without ensuing chaos and now the entire nation is chaotic. The elections are going to be held tomorrow. Word had already spread through all the Districts about them."

"What will happen to Katniss?" Madge asks concerned.

"I don't know. She killed Coin, who was the acting President of the nation. A political assassination, regardless of the leader, is a serious crime. Madge, you were present in the meeting where Coin was discussed. We all voted to not make the decision on our own. One person, or a small group, cannot decide what is wrong or right. It has to be the people's choice. Katniss obviously tried and convicted Coin all on her own – that isn't right. Isn't this, exactly, what we're trying to avoid so we don't have another Snow ruling Panem?"

"Gale, we have to help her. She's our friend. You let Coin use your anger and pain. Katniss is hurt and angry too," Madge pleads on Katniss' behalf.

Madge and her kind, giving heart never cease to amaze me. I raise my hand to her cheek and say, "Madge, how many times will you save Katniss only to have her misunderstand your intentions?"

Madge holds my hand to her face and shrugs her shoulders as she says, "As many times as it takes and as long as you're with me." Madge takes a deep breath and continues, "I have you…your love and support. That's more than what Katniss has; she's all alone. Maybe she's right and I had no right on you…I stole you…,"

A tear escapes Madge's right eye and I stop her with a kiss as I wipe that tear away. The seed of doubt and guilt in Madge's eyes is heartbreaking. It makes me angry at Katniss, but I need to make sure Madge understands her guilt and doubt are unwarranted.

"Madge, no one can steal one from another; love doesn't work that way. You didn't choose to fall in love with me and I didn't choose to fall in love with you. But if I had any choice in the matter, I would always only choose you. It'll always be only you…for me."

Madge's eyes meet mine and there's a shine to them that I haven't seen in a long time. I bend my head to capture her lips. Though Madge and I have shared several kisses since we've re-united, this is the first kiss full of passion without fear, love without restraint, and hope without distress. This kiss is like the kisses we shared in District 12.

I move my mouth from hers to kiss her cheeks and work my way down to her neck. My hunter ears pick up the sounds of footsteps that I know can only belong to Haymitch; without looking up, I say, "If you clear your throat, I promise, I will punch you." Why can't everyone just leave us alone?

Haymitch guides us back into the room with Finnick, Corn, Annie and Johanna; Prim is asleep on Madge's bed. He says, "I talked to Katniss and told her about Prim. She wouldn't see me before the execution either, but she knows now. She fainted from the shock and Dr. Aurelius is with her now." Haymitch takes a deep breath and continues, "All the living Mayors want to make an example of Katniss. They want to punish her harshly to send a message to everyone that no one person – no matter how important – will make all the decisions. They want to run the nation as a democracy and what Katniss did, goes against every principle of democracy."

Haymitch and Plutarch advise Prim, Corn, Finnick and Madge to stay in hiding until after the elections. There's a lot of chaos and confusion right now and I don't want to risk any of their safety to chance.


At the end of the Election Day, former Mayor of District 8, Paylor, and former Mayor of District 4, Ohare, are declared President and Vice-President of the New Panem.

It's going to take me some time to actually believe that Madge is now safe. Hesitantly, I call ma; I want her to come here…I want everyone to come here and see Madge. They need to see her and she needs to see them. District 13 was Coin's home; I don't know how things are there and who is in-charge. I want my family out of there especially since I can't be there to protect them. I convince Madge that we can't tell them about her because it may not be safe for them. I'll arrange to have them brought to the Capitol as soon as possible.

Madge is still weak, but she's getting more and more movements and strength back. She still needs to be carried and I'm happily willing to carry her everywhere. To think, this is how it all began for us…me carrying her around!

Madge, her mom, Corn, Finnick and Prim leave the underground bunker for the first time. As soon as we step out, Madge takes a deep breath and says, "Air of freedom!" I kiss her in full agreement. Johanna and Corn take Prim to see Katniss since she's under house arrest in Snow's mansion.

Paylor appoints Plutarch Heavensbee as Secretary of Communications and he wants to publically air Katniss' trial; Haymitch thinks that will be a good way to garner support for Katniss.

Everyone gathers in Snow's conference room to discuss the logistics of Katniss' trial. It is decided that Paylor, as the President, will sit as the judge for the trial, Ohare asks to be the prosecuting attorney, and Corn volunteers to defend Katniss; he studied law in a University in the Capitol. Madge offers to help him. Paylor and Ohare have a lot of work ahead of them in appointing judges, committee members, leaders, setting the law, etc.

Paylor asks Madge's mom to consider going back to District 12 as the new Mayor. Madge encourages her mom, but Mrs. Undersee is not sure she's emotionally ready to face the memories of her husband's death and their life together. She doesn't want to make any decisions without knowing what Madge will do.

It's dizzying to think of the multitude of opportunities and choices available to all of us. I grew up dreading working in the mines…knowing that would be my only option. Now, I can do whatever I want. Paylor has already approached me about a position in her new military. I haven't given my answer to her either; it's something that Madge and I will decide together along with my family and her mom.

I'm hesitant to let Madge out of my sight, still fearful of her safety, but she leaves with Finnick and Annie to visit Peeta. Mrs. Undersee and I go visit a distraught yet happy Mrs. Everdeen. She's distraught over Katniss and happy to learn that Prim is alive. Mrs. Everdeen lays blame at everyone's feet for what has become of Katniss – herself included.

I realize that Madge is right; I owe it to my friendship to help Katniss…that I'm partially responsible for everything that happened to her. I should've never kept any secrets from Katniss no matter who thought it was the right thing to do. There was a time she was my best friend and I sacrificed that friendship. After loving Madge, I know I'd never feel this way about anyone else, but I let my pride get in the way of my friendship with Katniss. Now she needs me and I can't desert her.

Madge and I still go back to the underground bunker even though mostly everyone else stays in Snow's mansion. Corn and Johanna go back to his apartment. Madge doesn't want to stay in Snow's mansion and frankly, I'm fine with that too.

As I gather her in my arms that night, I kiss her forehead and say, "Thank you."

Madge smiles at me and asks, "For?"

I shrug my shoulders and say, "For everything. I love you."

"I love you too, Gale," she says back to me.

We meet with Corn the next day to plan for Katniss' defense. After a lot of disagreement and discussion, finally her mom agrees with Corn's suggestion to go with confusion as her defense.


Vice President Ohare, Mayor Dafin of District 2 and Mayor Mally of District 10 prepare a strong case for a harsh punishment for Katniss. The prosecution presents the facts that Katniss thought Coin was wrong and killed her; they argue that Katniss, even though she is the Mockingjay, had no right to make that decision. Enobaria is one of their key witnesses, she argues that Katniss found out Coin killed her sister and wanted revenge. It's an excruciating day lead by the prosecution.

Later that night, we gather again with Corn to prepare for the day of the Defense. Plutarch's team, from the various Districts, reports that people are still sympathetic to Katniss and her plight. They do, however, agree that Katniss did not have the right to make that decision. The masses are willing to believe that Katniss may not have known what she was doing, but not willing to set her free if she did what the prosecution suggested.

Corn's defense of insanity and confusion makes more sense now. The next day Corn and Madge present Katniss' case and show her as confused. Dr. Aurelius also testifies on her behalf. Finnick, Johanna, Haymitch, Beetee, Annie, Prim, and I all testify in Katniss' defense. One by one, we all weave a tale of a distraught, confused, hopeless Katniss…one who was so confused that she shot the wrong President. Haymitch takes the greatest share of blame for Katniss' condition.

After the defense rests its case, there is a short period of rebuttals to the defense and prosecution's case. Madge and Corn handle that aspect of the case brilliantly. Paylor puts off sentencing to tomorrow.

As we lay in bed that night, I'm quiet and lost in thought for a long time. Madge lets me be; she knows I'll talk when I'm ready. Finally, I begin, "Madge?"

"Hmm?"

"It doesn't feel right…what we're doing. I know we need to help Katniss and she deserves to be happy after everything she's been through, but…,"

Madge sits up to look at me properly. She wipes the few tears that must have fallen out of my eyes. "Gale, I always thought that war would break you; you fought on the frontlines. I was worried about you, but the war broke Katniss. We contributed to that break-down. I know what Katniss did was wrong, but we're not lying when we say she really was confused and distraught. She wasn't thinking straight. I don't think Paylor is going to just set her free; Katniss will have some punishment. She will have to repent and hopefully realize that what she did was wrong. We're not blame free either."

"I know; we fought the rebellion to overthrow Snow. To not just overthrow him, but to overthrow a system that allowed one person to determine right or wrong for others. Now we're fighting to save Katniss who did just that. She decided Coin was wrong and not fit to be the next President of the nation. Some of us agreed with her, but the people had a right to decide that for themselves. Katniss had no right to make that decision for the nation. If anyone else was on trial for this crime, I don't think I would've defended them. It feels a little like I'm selling my ideals…my soul."

Madge leans down to kiss me. She has tears in her eyes and I know she agrees with me. Madge won't lie to me no matter how painful the truth may be. "I think we are, but I know this is the right thing for us to do. Maybe this is what we need to do to repent."

I pull Madge down next to me and we both wrap our arms around each other as we cry into each other's shoulder.

Paylor decrees Katniss guilty for murdering Alma Coin, but she exonerates Katniss of political assassination on grounds of insanity. Some debate ensues about Katniss' sentence for Coin's murder. The prosecution wants Katniss to serve the sentence in jail in the Capitol. Madge and Corn argue that the nation owes her happiness and a recovery. They argue she can only properly recover with her family in District 12. When Paylor is hesitant to let Katniss go on her own, Mrs. Undersee speaks up and accepts the position as the Mayor of District 12 and responsibility for Katniss.

Paylor sentences Katniss to live within the boundaries of District 12 until further notice. She is also assigned under the care of Dr. Aurelius via the phone. Haymitch, Mrs. Everdeen and Prim also decide to move back to District 12 to take care of Katniss. I wonder if Madge will want to go back to District 12 with her mom. I wonder what my mom will want to do. What do I want to do? We all have choices!


A/N: Before anyone wants to kill me...let me explain my thoughts on Katniss. I don't hate Katniss, but I believe that she was confused about her feelings for Peeta and Gale. In the end of MJ it almost seemed like she settled for Peeta because she thought Gale killed her sister. If given the chance, I think she would've been jealous of Gale/Madge in love and she would feel angry and betrayed. Killing Coin or even agreeing to execute Snow was wrong on Katniss' part (in my opinion) and in this story she will have to come to terms with it. At the end of MJ, it seemed that she didn't regret her decision to kill Coin - I'm not sure she understood what she had done. I didn't like the way Gale was portrayed in MJ and I don't like Katniss either. I changed Gale to what made more sense to me...what do you think about Katniss? Do you agree?

If she ends up with Peeta it will be because she falls in love with him - not settles for him. Also, Gale/Madge are not perfect, they made mistakes and they will also have to repent along with Katniss.

Lastly, Allison Cloud wrote a very nice one of a kind story on Mayor Undersee and Plutarch Heavensbee (The Mayor and the Gamemaker) - check it out; you will not be disappointed.