Hawthorne #1:

A collection of one-shots about the Hawthorne family. I wish they talked more about Gale's family in the books, but oh well. For the purposes of this story, Gale is 17, Rory is 13, Vick is 10, and Posy is 5. I know that this probably isn't logical, but just bear with me. And besides, different birthdays at different times, right?

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games.

CHAPTER 1: BABYSITTING

Gale looked straight into Rory's eyes.

"Now, I'm going hunting."

"With KATNISS," Rory sing-songed, making kissy lips, but Gale merely smacks his brother upside the head and continued.

"Yes, with Katniss, and shut up. Mother's at Mrs. Everdeen's house getting medicine for her headache. You're in charge, and you know the drill."

"Don't let strangers in, and if Peacekeepers come, unlock the door and hide," Rory rattled off. "Gale, I got it. Sheesh."

"All right, just don't-"

There was a crash and a squeal from the other room. Rory glanced apprehensively at the door where the noise came from, then back at Gale meekly. Gale grinned and clapped his brother on the shoulder.

"Good luck." Then he was gone.

Rory collapsed in a worn chair just as Vick and Posy came streaking through the door, yelling. Vick managed to get on the other side of the round table in the center of the kitchen, facing Posy. When she moved left, he moved right, constantly opposite her.

"Vick, give it back!" Posy whined, her lip jutted out in a pout.

"No way!" Vick teased, laughing and holding a stick-doll high over his head.

"Viiiiiick," Posy whined again. Rory resisted the urge to clap his hands to his ears at the annoying sound.

"Hey! Come on, guys. Vick, stop being a jerk to Posy and give the stupid doll back." Vick stuck his tongue out at his older brother, but tossed the doll back anyway.

"Now, don't you wanna do something fun?" Both Vick's and Posy's faces lit up.

"What kinda fun stuff?" Posy asked in her little-girl voice. Rory ruffled her light red hair and grinned.

"Something real fun."

"Waaaa-hoooo! Yeah! Ha ha ha!" Vick yelled, taking a wild leap into the swimming hole.

The kids had trekked out into the woods a little ways and found a river that led to a deep hole filled with muddy water. The boys were having a grand time jumping in and splashing around in the cold water, while Posy was content to splash about and play in the muck by the shore.

"I'm coming! Watch out!" Rory shouted to his brother, but just before he leaped off the cliff into the water-

"Rory Hawthorne! What on Earth are you doing?" Gale yelled, grabbing the back of his brother's shirt. Rory spun around and gulped.

"Uh... um... We were just..."

"You are not supposed to be in the woods, much less bring Vick and Posy! It's too dangerous! I never should have trusted you. What if Mother had come home and found you gone? Now go home and stay there until I get back!" Gale shouted. Rory hung his head and began to make hus way down the bank to where Vick was meekly dragging himself out of the water and Posy sat, silent tears streaming down her face.

"Gale..." Katniss began, trying to make him see reason. But Gale only shook her off, muttering, "They scared away all the game anyway."

"Grrr," Rory muttered later, slamming the door behind him. "I hate this! Gale is so... Ugh! He had no right! No! Right!"

"Shh, Rory, calm down," Hazelle murmured, trying to bring her son into a hug, but Rory would have none of it.

"No, Mother! He can't treat me like that!"

"He was right. It's dangerous in those woods. You should never have gone."

"That's not the point! He thinks he's so great! Grrr!" Rory came very close to knocking over a chair in his angry rampage. Finally, his mother managed to snare him and bring him close in a hug. Rory struggled for a moment, then went limp, finally calming down.

"I'm sorry, Mother. Gale just got on my nerves," he muttered. Hazelle smiled.

"No kidding! You were running around like a madman!" she teased. Rory grinned ruefully. (No pun intended.)

"Was I that bad?"

"Worse!"

"Sorry," he grumbled, but he was smiling.

"Oh, come now, don't be so grumpy. I'll talk to Gale."

"Thanks," Rory muttered, still not having broken completely out of his funk.

"Don't be like that," Hazelle scolded, spinning her son around so that they faced each other. She tickled him quickly, bringing giggles out of the boy.

"Now, let's find your brother and sister, shall we?" his mother asked, taking his hand.

"Okay," Rory replied, and the two set off.

Ugh, I stink at endings. This is the first of several. Hope you enjoyed!