Pink Archer: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it

Guest 1 &2: Thanks!

The car's brights were on. They helped light the dark winding road. The woods on either side of the car were thick and foggy.

Madge kept her foot on the gas and her eyes on the upcoming switchbacks. She wasn't going very fast and she wasn't in a hurry. She tried to keep her thoughts on the thought of deer appearing on the side of the road. The low hum of music didn't help as she tried to sing along with the lyrics. She turned the dial up, increasing the sound of a familiar song. Her hands drummed on the wheel and she bobbed her head slightly.

Her hands guided the wheel around a bend and the car lights glinted off the metal guard rail. She sped up and rolled down the window, letting some cool mountain air into the rusting truck. Her heart almost stopped when movement was picked up in the corner of her eye. The car jerked to a stop in surprise as Madge looked on at the tall human in front of her car. His hand was up shielding his eyes and he held out a hand in a small wave.

She turned down the lights and rolled the passenger side window down halfway. He ran over and gripped the window with two hands. Alarmed, Madge made sure the car was locked then blinked in the direction of the stranger. He ducked his head and peered into the car at her. "Hello, thank you for stopping. I hope I didn't frighten you." His voice was gruff but not unkind.

"No no, it's alright..." Madge stumbled out, "what seems to be the problem?"

"I just want to make sure I'm moving in the right direction." Madge raised an eyebrow.

"What is your destination?" She wondered. There was nothing on the mountain but a few houses.

"Madge Undersee's... do you know her?" Madge gripped the wheel tight and prepared to move her foot off the break.

"I do... May I ask what business you have with her in the middle of the night?" She squinted her eyes at the man, trying to see his features. He smiled. Her heart pounded. She knew the smile, she knew the voice, and she knew the grey eyes staring at her.

"I'm an old friend... and I have only just arrived" He murmured, "I think- I don't know if she'll remember me."

"Well you'll soon find out, Gale Hawthorne. I know where she lives." Now the man seemed surprised and jumped back when the car unlocked.

"How do you know me?" He asked as he shut the door behind him. He reached back for the belt.

"Hm... I recognized you from those silly campaign posters and videos from the war." She said, quickly covering her tracks. He nodded and she took off up the mountain.

"What are you doing out at this hour?" Gale asked as she clicked on her brights.

"With all the urban sprawl happening I took up a job in conservation and green technology. I've been out all day in a cubicle and out in the field. I work with the woods in most of the districts. I just live here... because it's... far from home."

"Where is home?"

"Not important." She said and glanced away from the road to look at Gale. She had to see if he had caught on to her identification.

"Well, I fully support your job choice. When I was younger I hunted in the woods outside my district and fell in love with my surroundings."

"I know." Madge said before she could stop herself. She slowed and pulled down her gravel driveway. "Here's her house." Madge said softly and looked up at her extensive ranch house. She drove into the car port and parked, turning her lights off.

"Thanks." Gale murmured and stared at her. Madge took her keys out of the ignition and opened the car door. She jumped down, her tan hiking boots hitting the brick with a thump. She brushed her wild blonde curls over her shoulder and walked around to the passenger side.

"Come on, old friend." She beamed as she threw open the door. Gale was ashen and his jaw slacked in surprise.

"Madge..." It was nearly a whisper as Gale closed the distance between them. They molded against each other with a long embrace. Gale's knuckles ran over her back and his fingers tangled in her hair. Finally, their shoulders relaxed and Madge turned her head to the side, her eyes opening and lingering on the dim light above the barn in the distance.

"Welcome home." She smiled and drew little circles on the skin in between his shirt and his pants.

"It's good to be home." He leaned back and kissed her forehead, tucking some hair behind her ear.

"Where have you been?" She murmured.

"After I broke my promise in 12, I couldn't come to terms with your death, I threw myself into the rebellion"

"I got out though." She smiled slightly; Gale closed his eyes and nodded.

"I hadn't known that at the time."

"We can put it all behind us now." She reassured him, reaching out to his cheek.

"Can we?" Gale asked, "it's a hard thing to put behind us. I swore I would protect you and I failed, what gives you the idea that I can now?"

"We're different people." She said, "we can start over." Gale searched her eyes for a moment before stepping back and extending his hand to her.

"Gale Hawthorne." He said with small smile. Madge threw back her head and laughed.

"Madge Undersee." They shook hands.

"I know we only just met but I am looking for a place to stay the night." Madge shook her head and took his arm, leading him up to the side door.

"You're always welcome here." They laughed as she unlocked the door and turned on the bright house lights around them.

Review please! The next chapter will probably be a request!
If you have an idea that you would like to be written- PM or comment! I'll try to take all requests!

Erin