I don't remember if I mentioned that I recently wrote a one-shot called Patience that I did not upload to Dream Catcher. It was longer than the usual chapter so I put it on its own.

NurseKelly: Thanks so much for your reviews! :) I love Jane Austen too- have you by chance seen Austenland?

Pug: Me too- I watch it all the time! It is my go-to movie, I love the soundtrack.

Belle: I'm glad you liked it! I would count those two my favorite heroes but I think Captain America has my heart as well.

JJ: Thanks!

"Gale, have you seen my purple heels?" His girlfriend called from his bedroom.

"Uh..." Gale said, trying to come up with an answer. "Did you look under the bed?" He called. She stalked into the living room with a smile.

"Of course I looked under the bed." She laughed and shook her head. She dropped down on the ground and looked under the couch, reaching out she grabbed her heels. She stood up and pulled down her little black dress. Gale looked up at her from the newspaper.

"Oh, good, you found them." She laughed again and ran off to the bathroom.

"No thanks to your help." She told him as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.

"Sorry," he murmured. "Have a good day at work, I'll see you tonight."

"Thanks," she said, coming out of the bathroom and grabbing her purse, "you too."

"Thanks," he said and smiled. She checked the fridge and pulled out a yogurt for the road.

"I'll stop by the grocery store after work for a few things," Gale stood and kissed her cheek.

"That would be amazing, thank you," she beamed and dashed out the door. He sat through work with a dull chance he was going to make it out before dinner. He reached out for the phone and dialed the familiar number. "Hey babe,"

"Hey Gale, is something wrong?"

"I won't make it home before dinner tonight- so sorry." His girlfriend laughed.

"It's just like any other night," she told him, "no problem. If you don't mind I'll just be at your apartment until you come home."

"It's just like any other night, Becca." He laughed.

"Bye," she giggled into the phone. Gale hung up and sat back in the chair, already exhausted. That evening he rolled up to his apartment and climbed the stairs with a large pizza box. He unlocked his door and walked in. "Hey..." his girlfriend said looking up from a magazine.

"Brought food," he smiled.

"I see that, and smell that... mmm..."

"How was your day?" He asked.

"Fine- oh- I did get those groceries." She said pointing the fridge.

"Thanks, helps me out." he told her honestly. He made them a plate and brought it over to the couch. "What are you reading?" He asked and flopped down next to her.

"Oh, Capitol, it's a fashion magazine." She flipped the magazine closed and dropped it on the coffee table. Gale glanced over at the cover. On the front in bright flashy purple letters said Capitol but what got his attention was the blonde under them. She was looking down, her wild blonde curls taking up most of the page. Her eyes were smiling but what caught his attention was her bright smile and crinkled nose, a splash of dark freckles covered her face and Gale couldn't stop staring.

"Madge Undersee...?" He murmured, his eyes still focused on the model.

"Yeah..." his girlfriend said dreamily, "she's my favorite model, she always looks so beautiful but like down to earth you know?" Gale ignored her and picked up the magazine. He flipped through to her spread and stared at her pictures. His favorite photo was Madge with her head thrown back, she was laughing, wearing a teal coat that went past her knees. "Don't you agree?" Becca asked him, taking the magazine.

"Yeah, she is really something," he tried joking. His heart was beating rapidly, so this is what it felt like to see a ghost.

"This is my favorite photo of her," Becca said and handed him the magazine, "I totally want this outfit." Gale stared down at the close up on the opposite page. Madge's hair was straightened and her lips were bright red to match the scarf around her neck. "Gale?" She laughed, "I do believe you're drooling!" She took the magazine back and tossed it back on the table. "If you want a real look- I would suggest the swimsuit edition." Gale laughed but he could no longer hold a smile. Instead he sunk his teeth into a piece of pizza and clicked on the TV. "Don't get any ideas..." she continued, "I do believe she lives somewhere in 2."

That night he stared at the bare back of his girlfriend in the moonlight. She took a deep breath in her sleep and Gale took the chance to climb out of bed. He padded back into the living room and grabbed the magazine. "Oh, Madge." He sighed and leaned back, flipping through the pictures. Then he turned to the text. It was an interview. About love. He quickly scanned it all. "I've lost a lot to the war." He murmured, reading over her words. "I've lost touch with people... probably because they think I'm dead... it says she laughs..." he continued. "You asked me why I started modeling." He whispered, "I'm looking for a past life of mine. A mockingjay soldier," Gale closes the magazine and slams it back on the table. He sat up and rubbed his temples.

"Good morning," his girlfriend grinned lazily from the blue sheets. He smiled kindly as he pulled on a suit jacket. "Going to work so soon?" She asked him, glancing over at the clock.

"Yeah, I have a meeting," he sighed, "new divisions are coming in next week." It wasn't a complete lie, new divisions were coming in but they never had meetings for it.

"Alright, I'll see you tonight..." He nodded but quickly departed the apartment. He barged into the quiet office and clicked on his computer. Through the endless websites he finally found it.

"Hello, Madge Undersee's assistant speaking." Gale cleared his throat.

"Uh yes, hello, this is General Gale Hawthorne." He tried to make himself sound as professional as possible.

"Yes...?" The assistant faltered.

"I just wanted to see if there was any way to talk to Madge." He sighed, he didn't want to beat around the bush. "We lived in district 12 together and have known each other since we were kids."

"Hold on, Mr. Hawthorne." Gale was surprised and sat back in his chair.

"This is Madge," Gale opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out, "hello? Ann I think they hung up..."

"Madge," he said quickly.

"Yes?" She said hesitantly.

"It's Gale," the line was quiet for a moment.

"Gale, you finally called," she whispered.

"I saw you on a magazine cover and then read your article," he said quickly, "you know the one about love," he continued, "it's about me." He said.

"Oh no," she sighed. "You don't love me anymore." She said.

"No," He laughed, "no- that's not it at all."

"Then what is it?" Gale hesitated and tried to come up with a reasonable response to her question,

"I have a serious girlfriend." He admitted.

"I see..." she murmured. They let the disappointment hang in the air.

"I live in 2," he said as if it made up for it.

"Where?" She asked.

"In the J apartment complex, it's right by..."

"Wait- you live in the J apartments?" She interrupted.

"Yeah on the second floor."

"I live in the J apartments." Gale's eyebrow furrowed.

"Wait- what floor do you live on?" He asked.

"I live on the fourth floor," she laughed loudly.

"No way," he smiled, "how come I've never seen you?" Madge laughed.

"I have no idea, maybe we work different hours." They sat in silence for a moment.

"They're nice apartments," Gale said, trying to continue their conversation.

"They are but they're expensive- I can hardly afford mine."

"Me too." They laughed and the line went back to silence. "Hey, is there a chance I can see you tonight?" He could practically hear Madge chewing on her bottom lip.

"Gale... I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why didn't you try contacting me?" He finally asked, "The modeling, the interviews, why didn't you just try to call? It seems like it would have been an easier way."

"A lot has happened... Gale... I have to go, can you come by at 8?" She asked. Gale tried to hold back his hope.

"Sure."

"I'm in 412, at the end of the hallway."

"Alright, see you." She hung up leaving Gale to his thoughts. That night Gale checked his appearance in the lobby mirrors before clicking the fourth floor button on the elevator. He had a bouquet of flowers in his hand and a bag in the other. He wasn't expecting Becca to walk on from their floor either. She was looking down at her text messages and he didn't want to risk telling her that the elevator was going up. He watched with suspicion as she reached out for the number three button. Her short black hair was in curls and she had a lot of make-up on. Gale wondered where she was going but he didn't want to bring attention to himself. Instead he moved the flowers in front of his face. She got off on the third floor and Gale got to see the skimpy black dress she was wearing. He held open the elevator doors and watched as she stalked down the halls.

"What the hell..." he muttered and slowly followed after her. She knocked on a door and Gale pretended to be getting his keys out. He watched as a young man came out and twirled Becca into his arms.

"Don't you look fabulous tonight," he exclaimed.

"It's all for you," she giggled and kissed him with everything she had.

"I love you," he sighed and dragged her into his apartment.

"I love you too," Gale let out a surprised gawk and headed towards the elevator. He ran on and pressed four. It wasn't long that his nerves got to him as he stood in front of 412. He raised his knuckles and knocked loudly. Madge answered the door with a small smile on her face.

"Hi," She said and glanced at the floor. Gale couldn't help but scan her body. She was wearing an old t-shirt, little shorts, and an oversized sweatshirt. She padded away from him. He followed her in and stopped her by grabbing her arm.

"I brought you these," he smiled. Madge grinned and took the flowers out of his hand. "And this." She nodded and grabbed the bag out of his hand. She moved into her kitchen. She set the flowers into an empty glass vase and filled it with water.

"I'll have to make them look perfect later." She grinned and looked into the bag. "You did not." She sighed and looked up at him through her lashes, "strawberries?" He shrugged and watched as she stuck her fingers into the bag and pulled one out. She ran it under the tap and sunk her teeth into it. Gale gulped at the look on her face. She finished it and dropped the steam into the sink. She licked her lips slowly not taking her eyes off of Gale. "They're good," she hummed, and reached in for a second one. This time she leaned against the counter and closed her eyes. Biting into the strawberry she made a low moan in the back of her throat.

"Right..." he sighed. "We're going to do this." Madge laughed and dropped her sweatshirt on the floor. His palms started to sweat as she slid across the floor, a silly grin on her face.

"What are we going to do?" She whispered up at him. He laughed and looked away from her. He took off his jacket and threw it onto her sectional. She reached up and pulled at his tie. "Gale..." she whispered, "what are we going to do?" He lifted her up and pressed her against the wall. Her smell was intoxicating.

"We're... reuniting," he smirked against her collarbone. She let a giggle bubble in her throat and she loosed his tie, dragging it up over his head.

"This is reuniting?" She murmured and pressed her head against the wall, exposing her neck to him. He took the bait and peppered kisses on her neck. Her nimble fingers picked open his shirt buttons slowly.

"My girlfriend..."

"You ruined the mood," she groaned and bit his bottom lip. He laughed and pulled away- sobering up.

"She's cheating on me," he told her, "I don't know how long it's been going on since we've only really dated for six months but I caught them today." He told her and slid her down the wall onto her feet. She shook her head.

"That's so sad." She smiled and moved around him. "So forget about her," Madge murmured. She hiked her t-shirt over her head and dropped it behind her. Gale turned and watched as the girl in front of him piled her hair on top of her head. Her milky white skin contrasted her lacy black bra. She leaned over and pulled her shorts down revealing see-through black lace. "Forget her," she whispered.

"Hell's teeth," he groaned. She bit her lip and pushed her hair out of her face.

"Forget her..." She pressed and reached behind her resting her fingers on her bra clasps. She turned to show Gale and let the garment fall to the floor. Before she knew it his hands were pressing into her hips and pulling her back to the bedroom.

"Forget who?" he growled in her ear and brought her to the bed. She arched her back and he stripped down to his boxers. "Are we going to talk about us?" He murmured onto her skin.

"Later," she groaned.

"How about now?" He nibbled her earlobe.

"Later," she insisted.

"Madge I need to know..." a shrill cry drove them apart and Madge shot up like a canon, pushing Gale off of her. She grabbed his button down and draped it around her, leaving the room almost immediately. Gale sat at the end of the bed with confusion. He got up and moved to follow Madge, when he found her he was taken aback.

"Shhh..." she murmured. Madge was standing in a light pink nursery complete with an oversized rubber ducky nightlight sitting on the dresser. She turned to reveal a bundle of white blankets in her arms. Her eyes were tearful and apologetic. He wasn't sure what he was looking at.

"You're a mother?" He asked, "Hell's teeth... are you married?" Madge looked ashamed and offended.

"Yes and no," she said, "if you have a problem- you can leave." Gale shook his head quickly.

"No, I'm so sorry but..." he came closer slowly, "why didn't you tell me right away?" Madge started to answer but instead he received loud sobs.

"I was scared," she admitted. Gale wrapped his arms around her, cautious of the baby in her arms.

"Madge, don't cry," she quieted and began rocking the baby softly again, Gale tore his eyes off Madge and down at the bundle in her arms, "what is her name?"

"Wren," Madge smiled and lifted back the blankets, "do you want to hold her?" She asked. Gale nodded and took the baby in his arms. He peered down at her face, her skin was like Madge's pale and freckled but her hair came in dark brown wisps of curls. Gale brushed a finger over her cheek, which opened her eyes. They were the softest grey Gale had ever seen.

"She's... so beautiful." He whispered, "she looks a lot like..." he let the name die on his lips as he made sudden eye contact with the woman in front of him.

"Like who?" she offered a watery smile,

"Posy." He finished.

"Makes sense..." Madge murmured and took back her daughter slowly, "since she's a Hawthorne or part."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Gale couldn't hold back his hurt emotions, "Madge, why?" She smiled sadly.

"The mockingjay was overruling everything," she shrugged, "it was so easy for you to forget about me that I just didn't want you to... feel like..." she leaned over the crib and set the baby down. "Like I was another thing to worry about. Anyway it didn't help that Haymitch told me that you wouldn't make it through the war so I just left and everyone thought I had died." Gale starred at her.

"There are so many things I want to say to you," he sighed. Madge stalked out of the nursery with Gale on her heels.

"I understand," she whispered, "you should probably go." He shook his head.

"That's not what I mean," he growled, "don't push me away again." She looked up, shocked.

"I didn't push you away!" She snarled, "You pushed me away!".

"I didn't do it on purpose, Madge, I was in love with you and you vanished!"

"You didn't try contacting me either!" She exclaimed.

"You're right- fine. Just answer one question then. Two actually."

"Fine." She snapped and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Do you love me?"

"Yes," she murmured.

"Then marry me," he breathed. Madge sputtered.

"What?" she whispered.

"Marry me."

"Gale you're just doing this because..."

"No, I'm not." He stopped her. "I'm not doing this because you're model material. I'm not doing this because your apartment is nicer than mine or the fact you actually have it furnished and decorated either. I'm not doing this because I feel guilty. I'm not doing this... actually I'm partly doing it because I'm already crazy about Wren. I love you and I want to be with you for the rest of my life. We've been separated for too long. I want to be able to wake up every day with you by my side. Please do me the honor of marrying me?" Madge blinked at him, surprised. "Just say yes," he said and pushed her bangs out of her face.

"Gale..."

"Just say yes," he said and leaned forward, kissing the edge of her mouth.

"Yes," she murmured and turned to kiss him fully.

"Can we go watch the baby sleep?" He asked her, smiling. Madge laughed lightly.

"Sure." She grinned and took him by the hand. "You know... this has got to be the ultimate form of cheating." Madge whispered as Gale bent over the crib.

"What? Being engaged and having a semi-girlfriend who is also cheating?"

"It sounds wildly complicated." She grinned and leaned against him.

"It is wildly complicated." He turned and they kissed slowly.

"We're wildly complicated." She murmured, he shook his head.

"No, we're a family, that's not complicated." Madge rolled her eyes and glanced down at their peaceful baby. "I have to model material girls who I am madly in love with, that's not complicated."

"Stop calling me model material," she laughed, "They cover my stretch marks and Photoshop me on every shoot," Gale grinned and drew her closer.

"To me you will always be model material."

"Even when I'm old?" She joked.

"Oh, especially when you're old." They laughed but shushed each other when the baby started crying. "I'm sorry, Wren, did Mommy and Daddy wake you up?" He asked and picked her up, pressing her to his chest.

"Wildly complicated," they agreed at the same time.

"But model material." Madge continued to joke.

"Yeah, I mean, have you see me?" Gale said and struck a pose with his daughter.

"Don't ever do that again," she giggled and shook her head.

"No promises," he told her.

Review and keep requesting! :D

Erin