Author's note: I apologize that it's taken so long to update. I've been working on Worry Is Calling and now have a decent amount of chapters backlogged there.

As for this, I hope it sheds some light on all the relationships. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing.

I urge you to go take a look at my lovely beta's work. Everlylark, thank you so much for all your help and for letting me ramble on and on.

Happy reading.

If you're a little sensitive to reading about people getting sick and vomiting, be warned that it happens in this chapter.

Chapter Five

Madge had been part of Hawthorne Specialty Sporting Goods since she graduated from college with a degree in marketing. Bobby Hawthorne set her up as an intern for the first several months to make sure she was right for the position. Once at the job, she'd shown enough passion and drive for it that they added her on as a marketing team member. She'd recently been promoted to the head of social media.

Madge took process shots and posted them on all their social media sites. She spent a lot of her day moving from one work space to the next taking pictures and writing down updates on each of the projects. The rest of the day was spent updating the site and promoting all the possibilities in sporting equipment.

She made a lot of excuses to check on Gale throughout the day.

She stepped into his shop to find him working on a new kayak. The frame was put together and he was in the process of sanding it down in preparation for the next step. Madge knew more about the construction of kayaks than most of the others in the marketing team, thanks to her longing to be near Gale.

And there he stood, sweaty and covered in sawdust. She pulled out her phone and snapped a quick shot for personal use.

He looked up when he heard the shutter sound and gave her a weary smile. "Hey, Madge."

"Hi." She walked over and brushed her fingers down his bare forearm, sending a wave of electricity up to her elbow. Once she did, all the tension in her body disipated.

He jerked his arm away and looked wildly toward the door. "You can't do that, Madge."

"I should be able to." She slipped her hand into his and rubbed circles into the back with her thumb, reveling in the hum that radiated between them. "You didn't talk to Katniss, did you?"

He swallowed and shook his head. "There wasn't time."

She sighed and moved her hand away. "There never is." She picked up the digital camera and snapped a few shots of the vessel Gale worked on. "I feel wrong." She leaned against the opposite table.

"It's not like we're having an affair." He went back to sanding the length of the kayak frame. "There's nothing wrong in being soulmates."

She groaned. "So noble, Gale. But you know how I feel." She opened her mouth to say something else, but Katniss walked in.

"Hey, Gale, the school nurse just called and Becca is throwing up." Katniss walked over. "Hi, Madge." She said and then turned to her husband. "I'm going to run and get her. If it's too bad I'll come back to get my things and work at home the rest of the day. Your parents said she could hang out with them the rest of the day."

He nodded and kissed Katniss forehead, shooting Madge a quick pleading look. Madge could feel her face set in a frustrated scowl. Sure, kiss her in front of me. That's awesome.

Gale smiled down at Katniss. "Bring her here to see me whatever you decide."

"I will." Katniss patted his chest and then stepped away. "I like your kayak." She grinned and sauntered out of the room.

Madge saw the look of contrition on Gale's face as his wife left the room.

"I get it." He said, turning back to his project. "I'll talk to her."

"I've been hearing that for five years." She said through gritted teeth.

He threw his hands up. "Maybe you shouldn't have tripped." A smile played on his lips. He was clearly trying to make light of the situation.

"And maybe you shouldn't have caught me." She wasn't in the mood to play his game today and turned on her heel, practically stomping out of the room.

Okay, that was harsh. But if he hadn't caught her that day at his parents' house, there was very little chance they would have a reason to touch otherwise. He did catch her, though, and they did feel the spark where his fingers brushed against the skin of her waist and their hands clasped together.

Then all the weird World War II dreams she'd had all her life suddenly made sense.

Gale knew he was being an ass. He knew Madge just wanted him to be truthful to Katniss. It all came down to his girls. He didn't want to ruin their view of him when it all went to hell, which he was sure would happen. Plus Katniss was his best friend. He loved her. He was sure it would shatter her more that he'd kept it from her all this time. He wished he could turn back the clock and sit down with Katniss the night after it happened.

However, that night she'd been uncharacteristically forward once Sam was asleep. They made love vigorously and then she'd rolled over and fallen asleep almost immediately after. They found out the next day that Katniss was nearly three months pregnant. And it never felt right from then on.

"Hi, Daddy." Becca's pathetic-sounding voice broke through his thoughts.

He looked up to see Katniss with their youngest daughter on her back. Gale lifted Becca up into his arms and kissed her cheek, pressing his nose into her hair. "I'm sorry you feel bad, baby girl." He led them both out of the room.

"I got a fever." She whined in his ear. He usually got onto her for whining, but he let it pass this time. She was sick, after all.

"I'm going to go ahead and work from home. If you can get a ride." She glanced into Madge's office as they passed.

Gale smiled and poked his head in. "Hey, Madge, do you think you can give me and Sam a ride after work. Katniss is taking Becca home."

Madge looked up from her phone, a bit of pink forming on her cheeks as she placed it face-down on her desk. "Sure." She walked around the desk and smiled at Becca. "Sorry you're sick, Becs."

"Mama said she'd make me soup." Becca piped up, her voice sounded hoarse.

Gale kissed her temple. "Thanks, Madge. I'll come find you at the end of the day." He followed Katniss out of the room and let out a long breath. "Soup, huh?"

Katniss smiled over her shoulder. "Yeah, the kind with the big noodles." She made her way down the hall to her studio.

"And the veggies." Becca added.

"Right." Katniss pushed open her door and stepped in.

Gale followed and let out a laugh. His wife's work surfaces were littered with piles of papers that never seemed to have any order to him, but she swore there was one. "You are so messy. How do you ever find anything in here?"

Katniss laughed. "I know exactly where everything is." She packed up several papers and her computer and pulled the strap over her head. "I have too much work."

Gale cupped her cheek as he stepped closer. "You always find a way to get it done." He kissed her softly and then looked at their daughter. "I'll walk you out."

They had to stop outside the car for Becca to vomit. Katniss pulled a plastic shopping bag from the back of the SUV and handed it over. "Please try not to puke in the car, baby." She begged.

"I'll try." Becca held the bag to her chest after Gale buckled her in. Tears leaked from her eyes. "I'm tired."

"Let's get you home." Katniss said, closing the door. She groaned and rested her head on Gale's shoulder. "I'll build your kayak if you go home and deal with the puke."

He snorted. "It would sink if I let you built it."

She chuckled and leaned her head back. "Kiss me. Before I catch the sickness and you won't want to."

He smiled and kissed her deeply. He whispered, "If you get sick you're sleeping on the couch."

"If I get sick, you're sleeping on the couch." She countered as she slipped from between him and the car. They heard Becca start to get sick inside and Katniss made a face. "Damn." She said under her breath just before she climbed into the driver's seat.

Gale watched them drive away and then returned to the building. He stopped just outside of Madge's office and tapped on the door. It was closed this time.

"Come in." She called from the other side.

He opened the door and stepped in, closing it behind him.

"That's not smart." Madge commented, not looking up from her computer.

"I know." He walked over and leaned against the desk. "As soon as Becca is better, I'll talk to Katniss."

She typed loudly on the computer. "I'm working, Gale."

He reached across the desk and grabbed her wrist. He smiled at the familiar electric sensation that ran up his arm. "I dreamed about the war again last night."

She looked up, slipping her arm back until their hands met. "Do you think it ever stops?"

"I wish it would." He sighed and slipped his hand from hers. "I have to get back to my project. I'll see you later." He turned and started out the door.

"Hey!" She called after him.

He turned.

She held up her phone. A picture of him leaning over his work filled the screen. "If you want me to delete it, I will."

He shook his head. "Just don't let Katniss find out."

She sighed and nodded.

"I promise I'll say something soon." He said just before he left her office to get back to work.

Katniss sent him a text after an hour. Puke count up to five times since we've been home. And one of those was me. Send reinforcements!

Gale chuckled. I know you've never been good with vomit. I'll take over after work. Hang tight for a few hours.

She's about to finally fall asleep. Maybe I'll have a reprieve. She responded a few minutes later. It was followed by, AND SHE'S OUT! (With the largest bowl I could find beside her.)

He smiled and sent the message, Have a drink. You deserve it.

I just might. You know the girls and I love you, right?

His smile faltered when he read that text. The guilt was consuming him and he knew they needed to have a long talk. But not tonight.

I love you too. He plugged his phone in by his desk and ignored it for the rest of the afternoon.

Katniss measured out a line on the bow she was designing. There was a computer program that she sometimes used, but she preferred to work with a pencil and paper. It was how her dad taught her.

She looked over her shoulder at Becca asleep on the spare bed. They were in a room that served as both a design studio and a guest bedroom. The girl's eyes were open, but heavy.

"Hey, baby." Katniss said as she slid off the chair and knelt beside the bed. "How are you feeling?"

Becca opened her mouth to talk, but she started gagging. Katniss quickly shoved the bowl under her chin as Becca let out the meager contents of her stomach. Katniss rubbed her daughter's back between the shoulder blades.

The girl looked up with a pathetic groan. "Mama, I don't feel good."

Katniss wiped at Becca's mouth with a rag she'd brought in earlier in the day. "I know." She scrunched up her nose at the bowl of vomit. "Do you need this again right now?"

Becca shook her head and collapsed on the bed. "Can I have water?"

"Of course, baby." Katniss leaned down and kissed her forehead and headed out of the room with the bowl. She held it out as far away from her as she could get it as she walked to the bathroom.

Gale called, "Catnip, we're home."

Katniss stopped in the hall between rooms. "I'm cleaning up vomit. Like I have been all day."

"I'll take over with that." He walked over and kissed her nose. "You go get work done."

"Thanks." She handed over the bowl of puke and scrubbed her hands. "It hasn't been so bad. She's been asleep for the last few hours."

He nodded and looked over her shoulder. "Madge said to tell you hi."

"Well, hi, Madge." She looked him over, wanting to ask if Madge had kissed him goodbye, but that was not something to joke about right now. She was sure it was more of a possibility if Sam wasn't in the car. Not that she knew whether or not they were having an affair, but the way they were looking at each other earlier…

Katniss got a glass of water and went back into the guest room where her things were set up. Becca was asleep again, her breathing a little labored. She placed the glass on the nightstand as she sat on the side of the bed and smoothed her daughter's hair away from her face.

Gale sat down on the other side of the bed. "I thought you were going back to work."

Katniss shrugged. "I wanted to sit here a second." She looked over. "Sam go to her room?"

He nodded. "She has homework."

She made a face. "Homework."

Gale placed his hand on Becca's forehead. "No fever."

"It broke just after we got home. The other stuff just keeps holding on." Katniss grabbed his hand. "I'm sorry I bailed today."

"You had other things more important to take care of." He assured her. "Anyone there would have driven me home."

Katniss watched him a moment and then stood. "I have to get back to work."

"We should talk." Gale said, walking around the bed.

Before either of them could say more, Becca sat up and started throwing up all over herself and the bed.

Gale scooped the girl up and brought her to the bathroom, stripping her down as Katniss ran the bath.
He coughed a few times. "I think I'm gonna hurl."

"I think you better hold it in." Katniss warned as she kicked Becca's clothes out of the way so Gale could put her in the tub.

"Nope, I'm going to lose it." He gently placed Becca into the bathtub and leaned over the toilet and started retching.

"I'm not the only one with the puke problem." Katniss said.

Sam walked past and paused at the door. "What's for supper?"

Katniss and Gale raised their heads to their older daughter with matching looks of exasperation on their faces.

Katniss said, "Food is the last thing on my mind." She curled her lip at Gale as he leaned over the toilet again. "Are you done yet? Because you're stripping that bed."

He shook his head and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "No, I am not."

"I've been cleaning up after her all day." Katniss argued.

Sam said, "I'll just make some ramen." She wandered away.

Becca whined, "I don't feel good." And then she puked in the bathtub.

Gale leaned over the toilet again.

Katniss covered her mouth and nose and pulled the plug in the tub. Starting the shower, she pulled Becca to her feet. "I'm sorry you feel bad, baby." She looked over her shoulder. "I'm not sorry about you, Gale. Suck it up for five minutes and throw that comforter in the wash."

"Sure." He rushed out of the room as Katniss turned off the shower and wrapped Becca in a towel. "Feel any better?"

The girl nodded.

"How about we get you back in your bed and I'll get you some apple sauce?" Katniss said as she carried Becca into her bedroom. "You want me to help you get dressed or do you want to do it yourself?"

"I can do it." Becca said weakly.

"You sure?" Katniss sat her on the bed and turned to the dresser.

"No." She shivered and coughed again.

Katniss pulled a shirt over her head. "We'll get you something to eat and then you can sleep the rest of the night, okay?"

Becca nodded.

Just as Katniss helped Becca into bed, Gale stepped through the door holding a bowl in one hand and a cup in the other. "Who wants apple sauce and Sprite?"

Becca smiled weakly. "Me."

Gale sat down on the edge of the bed and held out the bowl. "You're going to be just fine."

With a grateful smile, Katniss kissed Becca and Gale on their foreheads. She walked into the kitchen to find Sam eating ramen, a book propped up in front of her using the salt shaker. She kissed the top of her daughter's head before she slid into the neighboring seat.

"How was your day?" Katniss asked.

Sam shrugged. "Long."

Katniss smiled. "You're telling me."

Sam looked up at her mother, blinking a few times before she asked, "Do you like Madge?"

"Of course I like Madge." Katniss said. "Why?"

Sam shrugged. "You don't like a lot of people."

Katniss laughed. "I like the people that count." She stood and opened the fridge, pulling out a bowl of leftover lasagna from a few days before.

Gale came in and wrapped an arm around Katniss's waist. "She fell asleep."

"She needs it." Katniss held out the lasagna. "Want some?"

He made a disgusted face. "I'm not eating again for a while."

Katniss shrugged. "More for me." She stepped out of his embrace and shoved the bowl in the microwave.

For the rest of the evening, Gale and Katniss took turns checking on Becca. She slept hard well after they went to bed. Katniss got settled and watched Gale on the other side of the mattress.

He smiled and ran his hand down her arm. "What?"

"Nothing." She started to roll away, but she just had to ask, "Are you and Madge sleeping together?"

"No." He answered, maybe a little too quickly. "There's only you, Catnip."

"I mean, I guess I couldn't fault you. I only let you have your fun with me three times a year." She chewed her lip uncertainly.

"Well, I don't need your body to get pleasure from you. Sometimes just a thought is enough to drive me over the edge."

"Really?" She grabbed his hand as it drifted over her wrist.

He smiled. "Why do you think I take such long showers?" He moved closer and rested his forehead against hers. "You're my main girl. Besides, when would I have time or privacy for anything to happen with Madge?"

Katniss felt something was being unsaid, but before she could demand the rest, Becca came stumbling into the room. She didn't even need to ask. Gale got out of bed, scooped her up, and carried her the rest of the way across the room.

"I feel better." Becca said groggily.

"I'm glad." Gale said as he nestled her between himself and Katniss.

Becca was asleep a few breaths later.

"I'm not your main girl." Katniss said as she combed her fingers through Becca's hair. "These two are."

Gale shook his head. "Get some sleep, Catnip."

There was something in the way he spoke that assuaged her worry over Madge. Maybe it was an innocent crush on Madge's part. She was too tired to dwell on it, anyway. Her eyes drifted closed. Thankfully, they were all able to sleep through the night without any more puke.

Gale was in so much pain. He'd experienced this dream so many times that he was ready for it, but he was never used to it. In this life he was a British Army lieutenant named Christopher Charles.

A face with a kind smile and bright green eyes came into view. Madge. In this lifetime she was Ingrid Falk, a nurse. All his life he'd had the dream lying on the bed in pain, screaming for his mother. After he caught Madge that day, she appeared.

When she touched him, the pain died down. It was still there, but the electrical hum of her skin on his helped to drown it out each time.

"How do you feel today, Lieutenant?" She asked, her voice thick with a German accent. Her family had quickly fled Germany when Hitler started gaining power. Her father was a farmer and his skills could be used anywhere. He was right. Ingrid had been barely sixteen at the time.

"I'm always better when you're around." He said softly. He looked down to see her fill a needle.

"The doctor said you can have another dose of the pain medication." She injected him with it and she sat on his bed. "I'll sit here until you fall asleep."

"Thank you." His eyes grew heavy. "Will you read me that letter from my mother again?"

Ingrid smoothed the hair away from Christopher's face. "I'll write a letter for you. You know I will."

"Just read me to sleep, please, Ingrid." He requested. No use trying to think through the fog of the medicine.

She picked up the letter and opened it. She'd committed it to memory in the few days he'd been here. "'Dearest Christopher, We miss you terribly. Your brother says as soon as he is old enough he will join. Your father and I have tried to talk him out of it and we hope desperately for the end to this terrible war before he is old enough.

'Your sister has completed her nurse training and will join the fray all too soon. We pray daily for your safety and hers.

Please say a prayer for her every time she crosses your mind.

'Please write home, Chris. We miss you and we want to know you are well.

'All our love, Mama, Papa, Jacob, and Katy.'"

Christopher slowly opened his eyes. "Will you please write a response? Tell them I am well and I pray daily for them all and for the end of this war myself."

Ingrid nodded. "Anything else?"

"They can't know I'm injured." He begged.

Katniss shook his shoulder. "Time to get up, Gale."

Gale's eyes slowly opened, the pain from the dream melting away.

She smiled down at him. "Hi there."

The corner of his mouth lifted. "What?"

"You were talking in your sleep. Something about being injured." She shrugged. "Must have been an intense dream."

He nodded and sat up to stretch. "Where's Becca?"

"Eating breakfast like she wasn't just throwing up everything that touched her stomach yesterday." She leaned down. "I got up early and made biscuits and gravy. So you better get your ass down there before it's all gone."

He smiled and pulled her down on top of him. "If the girls are occupied with breakfast…"

She shook her head and pushed herself up. "Your breath smells like feet covered in ten months-worth of garbage that's been baking in the sun."

"Very specific." He sat on the edge of the bed and stretched.

"Well, you have horrible morning breath. So brush your teeth and that could be worth a kiss later." She got up and sauntered out of the room.

Gale rubbed his face. He looked over to see his phone light up with a text from Madge.

She wrote, That one's my favorite. It was the day Ingrid fell in love with Christopher.

He typed out his response, It was love at first touch for Christopher.

God, this is so wrong…