Disclaimer: All stories are individuals of themselves and are unrelated to each other.

Madge hobbled around the streets of town with a basket in her hand. She needed to find some sort of work, some way to bring income in for her family. Ever since her father had died in the mine explosions her mother's headaches had gotten worse. They were so bad she wasn't able to get out of bed anymore; Madge had to provide for the two of them without aid.

If anyone found out Madge's mother was ill like this then they wouldn't hesitate to put Madge in foster care. It didn't matter that Madge hated the Seam, she'd hate foster care much, much more.

So she wandered the streets. It was the dead of winter, snow was falling quickly from the sky. All Madge wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry. Her stomach grumbled, her snares had caught nothing. She hadn't eaten in days and she wasn't about to ask Katniss for help, not after she won the Games.

Door after door, Madge knocked until she turned blue. She hated the town people, how they had everything, but she was getting desperate.

Warm, no, hot. Madge was suddenly burning up. She yanked the thin scarf off of her neck and deposited it in a heap of snow; she tore her measly jacket off and collapsed on the ground. She was shaking, her body was sweating despite her attempts to cool off, and then it all faded.

When Madge awoke she really was sweating. There was a fire flickering and she lay next to it, covered in blankets. It took much effort to peel her eyes open. "She's awake," a small voice cooed. Madge's eyes snapped open at the sound of someone else speaking; she met the gaze of a young girl. Her hair was dark, her eyes were gray, and she was dressed in the nicest clothes possible.

"Posy Hawthorne," the voice of the mayor's son traveled over and Madge rolled in her spot. "How many times have I told you that it's rude to stare?"

"Sorry, Gale," the younger frowned. "She looks like an angel." Madge snorted before she could stop herself, rubbing her hands over her face. Gale shooed the little girl, crouching down next to the one from the Seam.

"Why am I here?" Madge muttered. She could see the basket she had been carrying around over toward the door.

"Vick was out in the snow with friends," Gale told her, readjusting himself so he's sitting next to her. "He found you half frozen, passed out. You took your gloves and your jacket off; you were just lying in the snow. My mom said it was hypothermia."

"Great," she tried shoving herself up but Gale forced her back down. "I have to get home, Hawthorne, my mom's there all by herself…"

"I sent Rory," he said gently. "Just rest, okay? It was really scary, you were unresponsive, Madge." She frowned, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "Besides, you're snowed in."

Madge tried to get up again but Gale grabbed her. "You don't understand, my mom's sick,"

"She's in good hands, now lay back down." Madge narrowed her eyes at him and he stared back. "And don't even start with that charity nonsense you always go on about. I don't want you dying, alright?"

"Whatever," she snapped, crossing her arms. Madge tried to keep herself busy by staring in the fire, watching the flames leap. Gale Hawthorne was so frustrating, the way he thought he could just take care of her. She didn't need taken care of; she was fine on her own.

"Listen," Gale finally said. "Seeing you like that was scary. Your skin was blue, your heartbeat was slow…" he shakes his head. "I didn't think you…" Gale frowned. "Just stay. Please."

Madge dropped her gaze. "Thanks," she said weakly. "That's the only time you'll hear it."

He laughed, "I'll take it." He scrunched his nose, "If you're looking for work there's always us."

"No," she stresses. "You already overpay for strawberries, I don't need handouts, Gale." His eyes widened, she only ever used his name when she was tired, stressed. She dropped her head into her hands and Gale moved closer. "And then I have to go freeze half to death," a dry laugh escapes her.

"It's okay to ask for help, Madge."

"Not from you," she shook her head. "Never from you." But that was all she wanted. Help.

A/N: Okay, so I really really like this AU. Separate fic, maybe one day?