Chapter 30

After the viewing I had to get some air. I'd gone out into the woods and checked my snares, gathered my haul and reset where needed. As I worked I tried to figure out what the hell was going on with the games. Katniss was still hanging in there which was a relief though I knew she could do it. Mellark was a whole other deal though. I knew it would happen this way. I knew when he was holding her hand and claiming to be in love with her that he was full of horse shit. The second the games started he joined up wit the Career tributes and is now helping them to track down Katniss. This is exactly what I was afraid of. He got her to drop her guard with him and now she probably has no clue that he's planning her death. He'd better hope with all he has that he doesn't win these damn games because if he happens to make it back here to District 12 I'm going to kill him myself. I still doubt he has a shot at winning but I need Katniss to have a shot. I need her to come back to me. To come back to her family. We all need her. I don't know what she'll think of me being with Madge. She most likely would roll her eyes and think I wasn't actually serious about her. Not sure what she'd think once she realized how serious I was. I've really never felt about anyone the way I feel about Madge. Last night I'd wanted her so badly. I loved every moment we had out in the woods and at the lake, not just the passionate moments. It made me want to spend every night out in the woods with her. She loved it too, even said she wished we could stay there all night and not come home. And we just about did that. I'd gotten her home just before dawn.

By the time I'd made it to my own house my mother was already awake. I knew I was busted for being out all night with Madge. Ma didn't care if I was out alone all night in the woods but she was none too pleased about my having taken Madge into the woods, especially for me only to return her at dawn. She doesn't want me causing trouble for us and I know she worries that with Madge being the Mayor's daughter I'm putting myself at greater risk than usual with the woods. But I trust Madge. And she trusts me too. Even said so herself. It was good that Madge had dinner plans with her father after the viewing tonight since I was in a foul mood over Mellark helping hunt for Katniss. I needed some time to myself. Time to think and to calm down a bit.

After my work in the woods was complete I dropped off a few things for the Everdeens and then I'd gone home and just crashed. I've been going nonstop for so many days now that it felt great to just sleep. I slept solid all night and later into the next morning than I normally would. My mother was already out on her laundry drop off and pick up route. The kids must have gone with her. I feel a little guilty for sleeping in now that I see they've all gone out to do work. I tidy up around our small house hoping that will help compensate for my sleeping in somewhat. I'm finished quickly with cleaning up since our house is so small. Too small actually. And old. And sparsely furnished. I'd been a little embarrassed to bring Madge here initially but it didn't bother me once she was here. She'd seemed so taken with my family that her surroundings went unnoticed. Not that I think she'd judge me for being poor or anything. Madge wouldn't do that. But that still didn't make me less self conscious about it. It was similar to the uncomfortable feeling I had in her house when I used the shower that one time. Seemed better at my house though, more relaxed. Although with all the people in my house it's hard to get alone time with her. At her house, alone time is about all there is.

I check the time and see that I still have a bit before I need to head into town so I walk over to Thom's to see what he's up too. I've been so busy lately that I haven't seen much of him. Aside from Katniss, he's my other best friend. He's out front chopping wood when I walk up. He wipes the sweat from his brow and takes a swig from a flask before holding it out to offer me some.

"Bout time you dropped by. Thought you'd gone all townie on me." He razzes.

"Funny. Just been busy, that's all." I shake my head, declining the drink.

"So, you gonna spill or do I have to beat it out of you? What's the story on you and goldilocks?"

"Love to see you try, I can take you on any old day. " I reply laughing. "But seriously man, she is amazing. Not at all what I expected. I can't get her out of my head." I tell him, grinning ear to ear.

"Oh yeah? Well, what do you know? Guess that explains what you've been so busy with. Any chance you'll be done with her soon? I need my wingman you know."

"No plans to be finished anytime soon. Or ever maybe. I like her. Like her a lot. She's different than all the other girls. I think I want more this time."

"Ah hell, you've fallen for the Mayor's daughter? Really? That's the girl that finally managed to hold your attention? Geez, Hawthorne you may as well have fallen for a Peacekeeper." He says shaking his head in disbelief.

"Can't help it. But she's different than we thought. She's not really what she seems to be. If you get to know her, you'll see what I mean. "

"You'll have to bring her around here sometime if you want that to happen. Not likely I'll be getting invited to the Mayor's house for dinner anytime soon." He says with a roll of his eyes.

"Just might do that." I say knowing that he's right. I do need to see how things work when she's around my friends. It'll be hard for them to give her a chance but if they do, if they don't make the mistake I did and prejudge her, I know they'll like her.

I pick up a length of rope and begin to help Thom tie up cords of the wood he just finished splitting. We've bundled a dozen or so cords when Mabel interrupts us.

"Good afternoon boys. Gale, may I have a moment to speak with you please? In private?"

"Sure." I'm nervous suddenly. Is something wrong? Has something happened with Madge? My mind starts reeling instantly. We step away and into the shade of an old oak tree.

"Is everything okay? Madge is okay?" I asked, terrified to hear her answer.

"No, nothing is wrong. I just wanted to talk to you about Madge and I saw you over here with Thom and thought now would be a good time."

I nod, still not quite sure what to think about this.

"It's come to my attention, and the Mayor's for that matter, that you and she have begun spending a lot of time together. I don't know if that's a wise decision for either of you right now."

"Well, I care a lot about Madge and as far as I can tell, she cares a lot about me too." I say with obvious defensiveness in my voice. I was not prepared to get flack from Mabel of all people. She is from the Seam just like me and she'd worked for the Undersees forever.

"She's an important girl, Gale. Important in ways you probably don't understand. She's been groomed her entire life to be a Capitol supporter. There are things you do not know, things even she doesn't know, that have already been decided. It's important that you understand what I'm trying to say to you now. You need to distance yourself from her Gale." Mabel says in a very hushed voice. The look on her face tells me that she's serious and there may even be a hint of sorrow in her eyes.

"Hell, I know she's important. You think I can't see that? But that doesn't change the way I feel about her. And what is it that's been decided for her, huh? What?" I shoot back at her, not bothering to keep my voice down.

"It isn't something I can explain. I shouldn't even be discussing it with you. It isn't my place. I just wanted to warn you, for your own good and for Madge's, that you are better off without each other." Is all she tells me before she turns and heads back to her house.

I'm livid. Who the hell does she think she is? She's crazy if she thinks that I'm just gonna up and forget about Madge. I can't and I won't, not now and maybe not ever. I need to talk to Madge. Alone. And in private. She needs to know about this. My mind is reeling. What possible crap has been decided for Madge that she doesn't even know about? And how does my being with her interfere with that? It doesn't make sense.

I leave Thom's house and head into town. When I arrive people have already begun checking in but I don't see Madge yet. She must still be at home. The clock on the screen tells me I have plenty of time to head over to her house. This can't wait, I need to see her now. I ring the front bell at her house but nobody answers. I head around the side of the house and find her reading a book on the back porch swing.

"Hi! I didn't know you were stopping by before the viewing!" She says as she leaps to her feet, delighted to see me.

"I need to talk to you. But not here. Somewhere private." I whisper in her ear as I give her a quick hug. I don't know who may be in her house and I don't want to risk anyone overhearing us talk.

She nods, bites her bottom lip as if in thought and then takes my hand and casually leads us down the dirt path to the old garden shed. She pulls the door shut behind us and then turns to face me. Her eyes looking to me, waiting for me to speak. I suddenly find myself tounge tied, can't think how to begin. I take her hands and try to start. "Madge, I'm sorry. I don't know how to talk to you about this." It's all I can manage to say. I just shake my head.

"Is this about Tripp? I told him we were together. I didn't invite him to sit with me but he did anyway and I couldn't be rude. I tried to make it clear that I was with you." She starts pouring out to me quickly as if to apologize for something.

"No. I don't care about Tripp and I don't even know what you're talking about. It's about us. And Mabel." I tell her making a mental note to find out about Tripp later. Right now this was the only thing that mattered.

She pauses and just looks at me, puzzled. "Mabel came and talked to me. Just now in the Seam. She told me we shouldn't be spending time together. Said it wasn't wise for either of us."

"Well I don't need my housekeeper's permission to be with you Gale. But I'm sorry she bothered you. That isn't like her at all." She interjects. She seems as surprised as I did when Mabel said that to me.

"Wait, there's more. She said that you have things that have been decided for you that you don't even know about. Things that get interfered with if you're with me."

"What things? What did she say?" Madge asks with total bewilderment on her face.

"She wouldn't tell me. And I don't think she's expecting me to tell you about it. She warned me to keep my distance."

"I don't understand. I told my father about us last night and he seemed fine with it. Why would she do this? What does she mean things have been decided for me?"

"I don't understand either. All I know is that she was serious. Madge, there is something going on with you that she knows and isn't telling you. And if she knows, that means your father does too. They're hiding something important."

"I can't believe this. What did you say to her? Did you agree to leave me alone?"

"I lost my temper with her. I most certainly didn't agree. I'm not going away. I want to be with you. As long as you want that too."

"Gale, I want you. I am with you and I intend to keep it that way. Right now, you may be the only person I can trust. I need you." Tears threaten to spill down her cheeks as she says this, desperation flooding her voice.

"Hey, don't cry." I tell her, kissing her forehead. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise. And I'll help you, we'll figure this out together."

She nods as she buries her face in my chest and I tighten my embrace around her small frame. I kiss the top of her head and when she looks up to me I kiss her forehead, then cheek and finally her lips. She kisses me back, fueled with emotions and I have to stop us before we can get carried away. "We need to go get checked in." I tell her.

She nods and we walk off towards town, silently but still hand in hand. I will not let Mabel's warning stop me from being with Madge. I will not be scared away. And I find myself both glad and relieved that she feels the same. But I also find myself terrified for her. What in the hell has been decided for her future that is such a secret that even she can't know about it?

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, sent messages and read this story! I love all of your support! You guys are so inspiring!