Battlefield

Katniss and Gale are sitting behind the trenches, guns loaded in their hands. Gale leans in, grabs her face, and kisses her, long and hard. Katniss could feel the warmth from his lips spreading all over her body, reaching her toes, frozen in the military boots that Cinna had made for her.

For a moment, the world stopped, and her ears blocked out all the noises of bullets, zipping past her, and the cries of wounded soldiers around her, as she took in the feel of Gale's lips upon her own. When he finally pulled back, she could express the surprise she felt on her face.

"What was that for?" she asked incredulously, completely taken aback by Gale's sudden act of affection.

Gale stared into her eyes. "For all the times I wanted to kiss you, but I didn't," he replied.

Katniss returned his gaze, secretly glad that Peeta wasn't there to witness what just happened because she knew in the back of her mind, she really did enjoy it.

"Come on, let's show those Capitol bastards what 12 is made of," he said grabbing her hand and helping her up, as they both assumed their battle positions and ran into the midst of a full-on rebel war.