Disclaimer: All stories are individuals of themselves and are unrelated to each other.
"Everyone thought you were dead, Madge," his voice cracks as he runs his hand through his hair. "I thought you were dead," he stresses. Madge stands across from his desk as he sits with his head in his hands. Gale won't look up, won't act like she's actually there.
"I might as well have been," she replies softly. "I was held captive most of the time so I don't…"
"I don't want to hear about what they did," he snaps; his head rears up and he meets her eyes. "I've heard rumors, I don't want the truth."
"Well if it helps not all of the rumors are true," she tells him, brushing a strand of her hair back behind her ear. "Listen, what happened to me wasn't your fault," she finally moves to sit in the seat across from him. Gale's eyes travel up and down her body as if he's soaking her in, like he'd never see her again.
"I told you I'd come get you," he croaks.
"And you tried,"
"But I didn't!" he shouts, throwing his hands up. "Goddammit, Madge! I didn't try!" She clenches her jaw and this time she's the one that drops her gaze. "I thought they'd get you out safe and sound…"
"Well they didn't," she growls at him. Gale rubs his face and sighs. He has nothing to say, she doesn't really either. "I don't know why I came here," she admits. "I guess I figured things would be different."
"They are different," he says softly, his head back in his hands. "Madge, I'm so sorry…" Gale shakes his head and rubs at his temples. "For everything. For everything I've ever said… anything I've done that hurt you…"
"Stop," she replies just as gently. "It's a new year, Gale. The war's over, we've got a new president, new leadership… Maybe… maybe we can be friends?" He looks up slowly, wondering if this is a joke. Madge Undersee, the Madge Undersee, alive and well, in his office. Wanting to be friends.
"Friends?"
"Well, it's a start, isn't it?" she asks, her lips curling into a small smile. He smiles too, a real smile after what's felt like years. Because she's right, it's a new year, a new world. Why couldn't they be friends this time?