A/N: Sorry this is going on so long!

Madge walked with Vick and Posy holding her hands. Rory, Prim and a few other young kids walked nearby. She found it nice that the kids seemed to enjoy listening to her talk. Deciding it was beneficial for the parents to know their kids were accounted for, Madge embraced the role of babysitter.

"Have you ever been to another district?" Vick asked.

"I've been to the Capitol when I was a little kid," Madge said. "We went through a lot of districts to get there."

"Really? Is the Capitol as big and crowded as it looks?" a little girl named Lilah asked. She was the daughter of a miner that helped Gale with the evacuation. Her younger brother, who was Posy's age, held her hand.

"Yes, it feels like you're in another world. I hated it." She made a face that had the little ones laughing.

"Is District 11 south of us?" Vick asked. His brows were scrunched, and he appeared to be deep in thought.

"Yes?" Madge stopped her little band of children and looked at Vick.

"If District 11 is south and we're 12, does that mean District 13 is north of us?" he asked, his eyes dropped from Madge's to her feet after he spoke it.

"Vick!" Madge shouted, wrapping him in a hug and kissing his cheek. "You're a genius." She turned and ran to the front of the line to find Gale.

"Gale!" Madge called when she saw his tall frame ahead of her. Her knee was throbbing, but she didn't care.

"Madge," Gale called as he ran back to meet her. "What's wrong? Are the kids okay?" He grabbed her shoulders and his eyes raked over her.

"District 13 might be north of us," she said, taking a few deep breathes. "I need to look at the journal."

"District 13?" Oran repeated. "If it's out there, we'll be walking into a wasteland."

"You're limping. You need to sit," Gale slid his arm around Madge's shoulder and moved her toward a rock.

Several people gathered around them and shouted out various questions and fears.

"Quiet!" Gale shouted. "We need to sort this out. Why do you think District 13 is out there?"

"Vick reminded me that District 11 is south of us. It's reasonable to assume District 13 is north of us. That could explain the lack of a Capitol pursuit."

Gale nodded in agreement.

Gale was thrilled that Madge praised Vick for his reasoning. His youngest brother glowed when Madge smiled at him. He couldn't blame him one bit. Madge's smile lifted his spirits and made him feel like he could do anything.

Madge was looking at the journal as others as milled about. There was concern about what could be ahead and Gale thought it was worth stopping to find out.

Thom came back from scouting with two others. He reported seeing nothing that looked like ruins or a nuclear wasteland. "There's a really big field, maybe half a mile across, but you can see trees and tree-covered hills beyond."

"Madge, did you find anything?" Gale asked.

"Nothing that specified District 13 or graphite mining, but there is a complaint about trains racing through District 12." Madge showed Gale the entry about the trains slowing the coal operations. If the date was correct, it was a dozen years before the war. Currently, District 12 was the end of the line for all trains.

"What do you think we should do?" Hazelle asked.

Gale was surprised to find that everyone, even Oran and the older miners, looked to him for guidance. He was going to ask others what they thought, but a smile on Madge's lips silenced him. "Let's set up camp for the night near the meadow. That way we can give Madge more time to review the journal."

After the others moved on, he leaned over Madge and whispered. "With your brains, I know everything will be okay." A surprised look on her face was answered by a quick kiss from Gale.

Two kisses in two day, Madge could barely breathe. Gale must like me. Even if it's because Katniss is gone, who cares. He appreciates my help. The boost to her confidence allowed her to keep her sore knee moving without complaint.

They walked for another hour before they arrived on the edge of the meadow. It was closed in by a river to the west and hills to the north and east. The easiest thing to do was cross it, but something unnerved Madge.

"What?" Gale asked when he saw her staring at the meadow for a long time.

"Do meadows like this appear in the woods normally?"

"What do you mean?"

"Wouldn't someone have to clear the trees at some point?" Madge couldn't shake the strange feeling the huge open space caused.

Gale sat next to her. His arm and leg brushed against hers, causing a different feeling to stir within her. "Yes, meadows appear naturally in the woods. I can't say I've found one this big before."

Madge stood up and walked toward the meadow. The grass waved in the cool evening breeze. "Do you remember much from science class about grass and grain?"

"I can't say I paid too much attention in school," Gale confessed. "Usually finished my work long before the teacher got to the topic."

"I know what you mean," she said. "The Capitol never expects much from the District kids. That's why my dad had extra tutors. He didn't want me to be left behind. He thought I could study at University in the Capitol because he was a citizen. I guess he didn't realize once you leave the Capitol, they forget about you."

"I'm sorry, Madge," Gale said. "Sorry you lost your father. I hope he treated you like the wonderful young woman you are."

Madge found her love of Gale deepen even more. He suffered at her father's hand but seemed to be genuine in his sympathy. "Thank you. He wasn't too bad when I was little. When he saw I gave Katniss the Mockingjay pin he was furious." Madge shuttered as that was the only time, she thought he might harm her.

Gale stepped up and turned her to him. Concern covered his face. "Did he ever hurt you?"

"No," she said. "He shouted a lot and occasionally threw something at the wall, but never physically harmed my mother and me."

"Good." Gale pulled her into a hug. "I hate thinking of you ever being harmed."

She returned the embrace. Who would have thought she'd be in Gale Hawthorne's arms by mid-summer after saving his life in the winter? "Mid-summer?"

"What?" he asked, pulling back to look into her eyes.

"By mid-summer wouldn't the grass have gone to seed?"

Gale turned and walked to the edge of the meadow. He looked over the grass and back at Madge. "I don't see any seeds."

She noticed a tall tree next to them. "Can you give me a boost up that tree? I want to see the meadow from above."

Gale's eyes widened. "You want to climb a tree?"

"I did when I was little. Mom used to take me to walk in the clump of trees near the processing plant and we both climbed trees." She smiled thinking of her mom before the migraines and morphling.

"I don't think it's safe for you, since you've got a bad knee that you keep overworking." He walked to the tree and reached up to the lowest branch.

In a feat of strength that Madge thought might be showing off, he pulled himself up with his arms. She had to admit watching his biceps and shoulder muscles flex under the too-tight shirt caused her heart race. He offered a wink and boyish grin before he disappeared into the upper branches.

"Why is Gale climbing a tree?" Rory asked. "I thought you guys were reading that history book?"

"Something about this meadow doesn't feel right," Madge said.

"Don't get mad, but you've never really been out in the woods. Maybe that's all?" Rory surveyed the meadow and mimicked Gale's stance, legs shoulder width apart, hands planted on hips and intense gaze.

It was impossible for Madge not to laugh at how much Rory was growing into another version of Gale. Those lucky thirteen-year-old girls.

"Moving in on my girl, little brother?" Gale asked as he dropped out of the tree next to Madge. Of course, that caused her to scream and stumble back into him.

"You scared me to death," she gasped, swatting at his arms that surrounded her from behind.

"I'd never want to do that," Gale whispered before he kissed her cheek. "And you're right, again, about the meadow. It definitely doesn't look natural."

"Then what could it be?" Madge felt fear creep in as Gale shrugged his shoulders.

A grinding sound filled the valley that evening and caused everyone to jump. Posy flew into Gale's arms. Vick and Rory rushed to Madge's side and others crowded together on the edge of the meadow. The darkness of the forest they stood in should shield them from whatever was happening in the meadow.

"The sound is coming from below ground," Madge whispered.

"Yes," Gale replied. "Posy, go to Ma for a little bit."

"I'm scared," she sobbed.

"I know, but I'm not going to be far."

Madge felt her heart swell at how patience and sweet Gale was with his little sister. A thought of Gale and his own child popped into her mind. Please let that happen someday.

The noise stopped with a clang, causing her focus to return to the field. There was a light coming from the center.

"Guess we'll find out what's down there," Oran said.

"President Coin?" Boggs asked. He stood patiently while she finished talking with Plutarch and Haymitch.

"Yes," she replied.

"The survivors from District 12 have been processed."

"Please tell me Katniss's family is among them." She glanced at Haymitch and Plutarch.

"Yes, Ivy and Primrose Everdeen, along with her cousins the Hawthorne's have survived." Boggs held a tablet with the names of all those who survived. "A total of nine-hundred-and-sixteen."

"Considering she sacrificed everything for her sister, that's the best news we could get," Plutarch added.

"Let's have them wake her up," Coin said. "Haymitch, can you let them know she's alive?"

"Of course," Haymitch replied and left the room.

"There's something else," Boggs added. "Madge Undersee is among the survivors. She said her father and mother are dead."

"The Mayor's daughter survived?" Coin looked surprised.

"I knew James Undersee. We studied together in the Capitol," Plutarch said. "He was a real asshole."

"This young lady benefited from her Capitol-born father and now she survived when thousands didn't." Coin was lost in thought a moment before she sent Boggs off with a new task.

"Katniss is alive," Haymitch said.

Madge stood nearby as he delivered the news to Mrs. Everdeen, Prim and Gale. Katniss is alive and in District 13. They rescued her from the arena.

For a moment, she thought the room tipped. A wave of cold washed over her and settled around her heart. Pressure built behind her eyes, so she turned away. A small hand gripped hers and she looked into Vick's eyes.

"You are part of our family, now, Madge," he said. "Nothing can change that."

"You're very sweet," she choked before she had to pull away.

"Madge," Hazelle said, sliding her arm around Madge's shoulders.

"I-I can't." Madge brushed off Hazelle's arm.

She needed to get away. The large hanger where the District 12 refugees were processed suddenly seemed too small. Her steps increased as she raced between the cots.

"Madge, are you okay?" Thom called out when she passed him and several other young people.

"Fine," she managed to say before continuing.

"What did Haymitch want?" Thom asked, falling in step with her. "You're in a hurry. Where do you think you're going? I don't think we can get out."

"Can you stop with the questions?" she snapped. Madge turned to face Gale's friend. "Haymitch came to tell us that Katniss is alive. She was rescued from the arena by District 13 and she's here. He's taking Gale and her family to see her."

Thom looked shocked as did the half-dozen other teens standing around her.

"District 13 must be helping the rebellion," Bristol added, and several kids agreed.

"Margaret Undersee?" a female voice asked.

"Yes?" she turned to face a tall middle-aged woman with Jackson written on her uniform.

"I need you to come with me," Jackson said.

"Why?" Thom asked, stepping to her side.

"Thom, it's okay." She knew he was only doing it because he thought she meant something to Gale. Ha, not anymore.

"You're under arrest."

"What!" Thom and Bristol shouted at the same time.

Madge didn't think she could be anymore shocked after finding out her dreams of a future with Gale were shattered. "Why? I don't think I've done anything wrong since I got here."

"You are under arrest for the crimes your father committed against his citizens."

"Bullshit!" the booming voice of Oran shouted. "This child has done nothing wrong. Her father's actions have nothing to do with her."

"That's right!"

"She helped us."

"She saved the Hawthorne's last winter."

Many others shouted out praises for Madge. For a moment, she couldn't help but feel pride that these near strangers thought she was a good person.

"If you want to arrest her, you should arrest all of us," Oran added, pulling Madge back behind him.

"What's going on over here?" another soldier asked. Madge recognized him as the man who first greeted them on behalf of President Coin.

"You're not arresting this child!" Greasy Sae shouted as she came rushing over. "This girl has done all she can to help us. Her mother's family, the Donner's, were well-respected. What kind of place is this to punish a child because of their parents? I say we'll take our chances in the forest."

"Gale!" Thom shouted.

Gale was deep in thought regarding the news that Katniss survived the Hunger Games, again, and was in District 13. She had been injured, according to Haymitch, and kept in a coma the last few days. They wanted him to deliver the news about District 12 and 13. He insisted her mother and Prim should be present.

"What?" he turned when Thom shouted again.

"You've gotta come. They're trying to arrest Madge."

"Arrest Madge! Where?" Gale spun, looking for her. She had been right behind him with his family when Haymitch arrived. Now his family was missing too.

"What do you mean arrest Madge?" Haymitch asked. "Madge Undersee? She's alive?"

"Yes, she's alive," Thom answered Haymitch. "The soldiers want to arrest her because her father was the Mayor."

"Dammit," Haymitch swore. "Let's go."

Gale shoved his way through the crowd surrounding Madge. She stood with Oran and his mother at her side. Posy, Rory and Vick stood close by. Dozens of District 12 survivors in the area faced off against the soldiers.

"Boggs, what's going on here?" Haymitch shouted. He was slightly behind Gale.

Everyone turned to look at Haymitch, including Madge and the fear on her face sent Gale into a rage. When Haymitch shouted and the people surrounding Madge turned, one of the soldiers got between Madge and his mother. The young man grabbed Madge pulling her away from his family.

"Don't you touch her!" he shouted. Gale's shout cleared several people out of his way. He was in the young man's space within seconds.

"She's under arrest," he replied.

Gale's fist connected with the young man's face. He released Madge and swung back hitting Gale on his left cheek.

"Stop!" A gunshot ran out. Boggs held a handgun above his head.

"You're making a mistake," Haymitch said, stepping between Madge, Gale and Boggs. "I'm not sure why you've been told to arrest her, but I can assure you that Madge has done more to help the rebellion than anyone in District 12 outside of Katniss."

Gale pulled Madge to him. He was thankful Haymitch was trying to reason with them but wanted to hurt anyone who caused Madge pain. She was trembling and that was unacceptable to him.

"Are you okay?" she asked, softly.

"I'm fine," he growled, never taking his eyes off the soldiers. He tightened his hold on her, barely feeling pain in his cheek.

"The order came from President Coin," Boggs replied to Haymitch.

"Then she's misinformed. Let's speak with her," Haymitch answered. He looked at Madge and offered her a wink.

"What is Haymitch talking about?" Hazelle asked.

Madge shook her head. Gale glared at the soldiers and kept his arm firmly around her shoulders as the followed Haymitch and the soldiers.

"I'm glad you're where you need to be," his mother whispered to him.

Gale looked at her and the girl under his arm. "Where else would I be?"

A/N: I just can't get this story out of my head. Still going to continue a bit more.