A/N: This chapter is Gale's POV but begins with he and Madge sitting by the fire the night before he rescues Rory. There was a lot going on internally for Gale and I felt it was important for you to know where his mind is at.

Chapter 17

We sat in silence most of the night. It wasn't bad though. Comfortable even. This did leave me with ample thinking time. Not sure if that's good or bad. I couldn't believe Madge was going to help me rescue Rory. The mayor's daughter was going to voluntarily break the law to help me. Unbelievable. Even though I'd heard it with my own two ears I still couldn't believe it. She was risking getting into serious trouble just for me, for my family. And after I've been so cold to her over and over. There's no question that I did not deserve this favor from her. Favor barely even seems like the right word. If she were to be caught, her life would be over. I never knew she was so brave, so bold. I find it very attractive. And attractive is a whole other thing to think about. When Thom and I showed up to work in the morning she was standing there in the cutest outfit I've ever seen her wear. Overalls and a tank top and this old looking hat. No makeup, just a fresh, smiling face. She looked outright adorable and I loved it. Her enthusiasm about the garden was cute too. I didn't tell her that though. Just kept my cold shoulder out, ignored her most of the day really. She didn't seem to let that bother her though. She worked hard, out in the heat and the sun all day too. Without complaint I might add. That was definitely something I never expected. She's apparently a lot tougher than I'd assumed. Then to top off the whole day, she'd blown my mind with her offer to help me get Rory back.

Earlier in the evening when we were discussing her helping me, we'd been whispering just given the subject matter and all, and we were leaning in close to one another. So close that I could feel her breath on my face. So close that I was having a hard time not leaning just an inch or two closer and kissing her. All I could think about was how amazing it had been to kiss her in my dream the other night. I almost was about to just go for it when she pulled back slightly and suddenly seemed uncomfortable at our closeness. I don't think she realized what I was about to do though. When that townie Tripp had delivered our food I acted without thinking. He was straight up flirting with her and I was completely filled with jealousy. Jealous that this pompous fool was just going to flirt with her right in front of me. Offer to keep her company! I'd wrapped my arm around Madge's shoulders and pulled her into me. I'd interrupted their conversation and outright spoken for her. I'd made it seem not as if I was her employee but her friend. Or her something more than a friend. And he hated it. Which made me love it all the more. I'd realized what I'd just done and apologized to Madge as soon as he was out of earshot. Tried to make it sound like I just did it out of a general dislike for Tripp. She didn't seem mad about it or anything, just surprised mostly. Having my arm around her and her body so close to mine made my heart race. Even thinking about it now, made my heart rate pick up a little. I can't figure out how it happened, how I got to the place I am now. The place where I find myself falling for the mayor's daughter. A girl I've known and seen around town my whole life but never given much thought to has suddenly bombarded my every thought. I want to know more about her. More about the Madge that I saw, slaving away in the garden. The Madge who would willingly break the law for me. The Madge who is everything I never thought she was.

Just before daybreak we'd rehashed the game plan. I'd given her one last chance to back out but she wasn't interested. She wanted to help me, at any cost. I'd waited until the soft buzz of the fence disappeared and then I'd hightailed it through the fence and into the safety of the trees. I don't think I took a breath the whole way until I was safely in the woods. I'd made great time getting to the cabin by the lake. Katniss and I had been here often enough that I knew exactly how to find it. Rory was inside, asleep when I walked in. I was thankful that he was comfortable enough there, felt safe enough to sleep. I gently called his name, not wanting to touch him and scare him. He sits right up, awake in an instant. Elation is the only word I can think of to describe the look that filled his face when he saw me. I explained how Madge was helping us; saving him from missing the viewing. I'd told him to come with me, that we had to hurry if we wanted to make it back. He did everything I said. He tried his hardest to keep up with me but the forest is unfamiliar to him and it slowed our pace substantially. He fell and stumbled nearly the entire way back. I knew we were cutting it close on time. I decided it would be better to cross the fence at my old crossing point rather than back at Madge's house. It was a good 20 minutes closer than Madge's and I knew we were cutting it so close time wise that 20 minutes might make the difference. Turns out I was right. We reached my old spot only minutes before the fence turned off. We quickly climbed through and I dropped Rory at home, told him I'd see everyone in town for the viewing.

All I could think about was that I had to get to Madge's as fast as I could. I knew she would be worried when she didn't see Rory and I after she turned the fence back on. I didn't like the thought of her worrying. My body is literally aching with exhaustion but I don't stop. I walk as quickly as I know I can without alerting anyone's attention. When I arrive, she doesn't answer the doorbell so I know she must be out back. I go around the side of the house and there she is. Sitting on the porch steps, beautiful as ever but clearly distraught, eyes focused straight ahead to the tree line of the woods. She's so focused that she doesn't hear me approach. When I plop down on the steps next to her I get more than the reaction I expected. She cries out my name and throws her arms around me in a fierce hug. I knew she would be relieved to see me. I did not know she would hug me and cry out my name. My heart fluttered when she did this and I had to laugh a little to cover up my nerves. Who knew a tiny little blonde could have such power over me that she made my heart actually flutter? Not me that's for sure.

I hated to ask, but aware I couldn't show up for the mandatory viewing I'd asked if I could use her bathroom to wash up a bit before we headed over to the check in stations. She of course, insisted upon my taking a shower. I was going to argue that just cleaning up my face and hands at the sink would be sufficient but she had a no nonsense look about her in that moment that told me it was a losing battle.

I can't lie and say her house wasn't intimidating. It was luxurious and massive, decorated from floor to ceiling everywhere you looked. Once alone in her guest bathroom I think about how surreal this all is. Anything I have access to back home in the Seam doesn't even come close to what I'm experiencing here. The towels are thick and fluffy. The shower has fancy features that use steaming hot water to massage my tired body and the soap smells of almond and cherry. I wish I could stand here in this steaming spray of water for all eternity. I can't do that though. The Capitol induced mandatory viewing awaits. I quickly dry off and redress, wishing now that I would've grabbed a change of clothes when I dropped Rory at home. Luckily, the shower has worked wonders and I now look and smell presentable. My clothes are stained and obviously dirty but being that I'm from the Seam I doubt anyone will think much of it.

I head back to the kitchen to find Madge when I overhear her at the front door talking to none other than Tripp Krull. That little shmuck brought her dinner as an excuse to see her, claiming he was checking to see if she felt better! Again like the night before, I act only out of jealousy and without thinking. I grab half of her sandwich off the kitchen table and once again interrupt their conversation, speaking for her. Tripp's face is priceless. He is flat out shocked that I'm in her house, eating dinner with her. If I didn't give him the wrong idea about Madge and I last night, I certainly did it today. Madge seemed stunned and tried to smooth things over with Tripp, thanking him for checking up on her. When he leaves, I think for a split second that I've taken it too far when she puts her hands on her hips but then I hear the teasing tone in her voice and know that we're okay. I apologize but I don't think she's buying it.

We eat dinner in a comfortable silence and I remind myself that this has to be the last "free" meal I let this girl feed me. I know she doesn't think of it as charity but I do and can't let that continue. I already owe her more than I'll ever be able to repay. She saved Rory for me, no questions asked, no strings attached. And I think she just may have stolen my heart in the process.