Hey guys! If you remember in Catching Fire while (Spoiler Alert!) Gale was being treated for his wounds from the whipping Katniss started to think about how she would have felt if her and Gale's roles were reversed so Batmarcus and I decided to write about how that would have went. Now, START THE STORY!

It was the night before Reaping Day and in a small shack in the Seam, a young child twelve years of age shot up sweating bullets and crying profusely having had a nightmare that their name was drawn. The door opened and their older sibling came in having heard the crying, "It's okay." The older one said pulling the crying child into a hug. "It's going to be okay, Rory. It's your first year. Your name's only in there once. They're not going to pick you."

"Gale, what if I am drawn?" He asked tearfully.

"They won't, your just one name out of hundreds." Gale reminded holding his older younger brother close.

"Okay, I guess you're right," He said calming a little.

"Think you might be able to try and go back to sleep?" Gale offered since it was still the middle of the night unlike when Prim will wake up.

"Will you stay here with me?" Rory asked.

Gale nodded, "Of course."

"Thanks Gale," Rory yawned.

Gale actually gave a small smile at that which was rare for him besides while joking around in the woods with Katniss. "You're welcome. You know I'd do anything for you just as I would Vick, Posy, or even Prim."

"What about Katniss?" He asked.

"Of course Catnip, That just goes without saying." Gale said of course using the nickname he always does for her.

"Do you like her?" He asked.

Gale nodded, "but it never really seems like she's ready to think about anyone that way yet."

"Well maybe you have to make the first move," Rory said falling into sleep.

Gale thought about what Rory said knowing he will obviously be meeting Katniss in the woods that morning. Should he or would it be too dangerous for their friendship/partnership? "Maybe, I will," He muttered.

That morning in a better off but still struggling part of District 12 called The Town. A seventeen year old girl with blond hair and blue eyes was still asleep in her bed, "Ermela! It's time to wake up!" Her mother called.

"Why?" She mumbled tiredly she had not been able to get to sleep until past midnight.

"It's only an hour before the Reaping, you need to get ready." Her mother, Estelle, reminded her causing her to shot right up having not realized she had no idea she slept in so late.

"Okay I'm on it!" She called down.

She went to her closet to look for a dress to wear. Like everyone else, she was very nervous for the Reaping but her parents' candy shop made enough money that she never had to sign up for tesserae. She settled on a light blue dress with dark red accents to it. She set it on her bed and went to the bathroom to clean up.

Soon enough she was ready. She had the same dress and some powder blue one and a half inch heals on and her hair was pulled up in a spiral bun. Hopefully this was all a waste of time though and they will never be shown but it's important to still be safe. She made her way down to the shop.

"You look gorgeous!" Her mother said as she arrived downstairs.

"Thank you, mother," Ermela said in fake politeness that matched her mother's.

"My pleasure," she said.

"How long is there left?" Ermela sighed obviously dreading it.

"Twenty minutes,"

Twenty minutes later, everyone was gathered in town square and Effie had gone through the annoying talk and movie. "Now, as always, ladies first," Effie said walking over to the bowl and drawing the name of this year's victim, "Ermela Juan."

"No it can't be!" She thought horrified. She held her breath as her feet moved to that stage independent from her brain. 'I am going to die.' She thought with no question.

"Now for the boys," Effie said and went to the other bowl. She dug around this one for a short while before grabbing a slip. Gale held his breath knowing his name's in there forty-two times. "Rory Hawthorne."

'No! No! No! How could it be? He was only in there once!' Gale thought. Rory was pale as a sheet as he stepped out and started to make his way towards the stage when he heard a way too familiar voice say a completely foreign sentence. "I VOLUNTEER!"

"GALE NO!" Rory shouted.

"Oh! It appears we have a volunteer." Effie observed in surprise at the sudden turn of events so unheard of in District 12 or really any non-Career district, "Well, come on up then."

Katniss managed to get out of her own grouping, grabbed Rory, and held him back.

"No! NO!" Rory screamed starting to cry as he fought against Katniss' grip but being an archer she had more than enough upper-body strength to keep the hysterical 12-year-old at bay as Gale made his way to the stage.

"What's your name?" Effie asked and gave the microphone to Gale.

"Gale Hawthorn," he said.

Effie looked over at the boy who was crying his eyes out still fighting too escape Katniss' iron grip. "I'd bet that was your brother, wasn't it? Couldn't let him steal all the glory?"

Gale just glared slightly at her but that was completely lost on Effie though as she stepped back and said, "Well, alright you two, shake hands." Gale stepped up to Ermela, and shook her hand. As she held his strong but precise hands, she stared into his Seam grey eyes unable to look away.

"Ladies and gentlemen I give you the tributes from District 12!" Effie announced.

She led them both to the justice building and into separate rooms.

Gale just stood in the room he was put in waiting for his first visitor but knowing who it will be. Sure enough in came his family, led by Rory.

Rory didn't waste any time practically falling into his older brother's arms. "Why did you do that, Gale?" He choked still crying heavily.

"I told you last night that I'd do anything for you, Rory, and I meant it." Gale reminded holding him close.

"But what about you?" He asked.

"I think I stand a chance. I can hunt with snares or a bow and arrow, find water, identify edible plants, and so many other skills; practically a Career myself." Gale said confidently. "I'll do everything I can to win."

"You shouldn't have replaced me!" Rory said.

"I couldn't just let go out there and possibly die." Gale said seriously. "You're only twelve."

"I don't want to lose you," Rory said.

"I know, and do everything to make sure that I win and come home." Gale promised. "Until then, Katniss will make sure to take care of you guys. We promised years ago that we would if one of us were to go into the games."

"Okay," Rory finally gave in sadly knowing nothing can be done about it now.

Gale felt a tug on his pant leg and looked down at his sister, Posy. "I know you can do it, Gale. Then District 12 will have it third victor."

He smiled and picked her up off the ground so she was sitting on him as well.

Almost as if they knew, the door opened, "Time's up."

"Listen, you be good for mom," Gale said hugging them all in his arms

As the door was closing Vick looked at Gale. "Say hello to dad for me," He said sadly.

Gale was shocked but it was too late as the door closed. "Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, Bro." He muttered angrily.

The door opened and Katniss walked into the room. She ran up and hugged him tightly. Gale was surprised but obviously didn't hesitate to return the hug. "You can do this," She said seeming ready to cry.

"I can and will." Gale said holding her close, 'Despite what Vick says.'

"Good, you had better," She said nervously.

"I will, so, just take care of my family and I'll be home before you know it." Gale swore confidently. "It will be easy; I already know how to hunt."

"Yeah but you'll need bigger traps," She said mot letting him go.

"I know, but that shouldn't be much of an issue. Especially if I get my hands on a bow, armed with both I would be back before the second day." Gale said possibly a little too arrogant.

"I know, but Gale..." She said carefully.

"What is it?" Gale asked.

"I wanted to say something," She said blushing.

"Alright, go ahead while we still have time." Gale said.

"Gale I... well..." She stumbled before seeming to throw caution to the wind and kissing him and was surprised when he kissed her back as though there was nothing else he wanted to do.

After a short, but heated kiss they separated for air. "You have no idea how long I've wanted that," Gale said in all honesty, "but you always made it seem like you weren't ready to think that way about anyone."

"Well I wasn't and then seeing you going up to the stage it all just sort of connected and I realized how I felt," She said still standing close to him.

"Then I have even more reason to do anything to win." Gale said smiling.

"Well then, you better win and come back to me," Katniss said wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I will."

"Good!" She said before kissing him again.

They separated just in time as the door opened. "Come back to me Gale," She said as she was lead out.

"I promise, I will." Gale said right as the door closed.

Gale was pleasantly surprised and because of that he was smiling now of all times, but he could not stop. That needless to say looked more than a little odd for Prim when she opened the door and came in. "Uh, Gale, you're smiling?" She asked confused.

"Your sister was in here last." Gale said touching his fingers to his lips. "She kissed me… twice."

"Really?" Prim asked shocked.

"Yeah, apparently when she saw me go up to the stage, everything just connected and she realized how she felt." Gale explained still having trouble believing it all.

"Well that's wonderful!" She said.

"Yes it is, now I just need to win and then we can be together."

"Yeah, I hope you win," Prim said smiling.

"I will." Gale promised just as with everyone else as Prim reached into her pocket.

"I have something for you," She said.

"Really?" Gale asked curious.

"Yeah," Prim said pulling out a silver chain with a wooden cross on the end of it. "It used to belong to my dad." Prim added sadly. "I want you to take it into the arena with you."

"Prim I can't take this from you," Gale said.

"Please, I insist." Prim said putting it in his palm.

"I'll bring it back," Gale said hugging the little girl.

"I have complete faith in that." Prim said returning the hug.

"Good, you take care of Katniss okay?" He asked.

"I will." Prim promised.

"Good girl and help her out where you can," He said.

"I will try." She promised.

"Good," Gale said smiling

The door opened again and they knew exactly what that meant, "Time's up."

"Be safe!" Gale said as Prim was lead out.

He was surprised when the door opened again and Estelle came in. He had sold her rabbits sometimes at the shop but otherwise he didn't really know her that well. Maybe it was the fact that her daughter is going to be his district partner?

"I have these for you," She said producing a small round container of caramel candies.

"Well, thank you." Gale said looking at the candies.

"It's no trouble," She said.

"Why though?" Gale asked, confused at the gesture.

"Just a present," She said.

"Well, alright." Gale said closing the container for later.

She nodded and left. "It's time." The Peacekeeper said after she left. Gale nodded and headed for the door. As they headed out, Ermela met up looking absolutely and understandably terrified as you'd expect any District 12 tribute to look.

He made his face look very calm and collected. Ermela noticed this with a sigh wishing she had a reason to be so confident. "Cheer up," Gale said as they boarded the train.

"Why should I?" Ermela huffed. "It's obvious I'll be dead in a few days."

"Well, you don't know that do you?" Gale asked.

"Everyone knows that. You know what my dad said? He said that this year District 12 might finally have a winner. Then he left. He wasn't talking about me, Gale. He was talking about you."

"I don't think so," Gale said.

Ermela shook her head, "He never liked me, he like you though. With all those rabbits you'd bring in so perfectly. Besides, I'm not good at anything."

"Hey, have confidence in yourself," Gale said.

"What? It's only the truth." She argued. "I am going to die and there nothing that could change that."

"You don't know that! Stop being negative," Gale said.

"You seem to be forgetting that there's only one victor." Ermela reminded. "If I somehow live than you die. You have so many people that would never get over your death. No one would even blink an eye, at mine. Besides dad just long enough to say that one line no one even showed up to say goodbye."

"What about your mom?" Gale asked.

"I haven't seen her since I left home for the Reaping."

"Really?" Gale asked surprised.

"She never really cared. She tried to pretend but you'd have to be blind or retarded to believe any of it."

"I think your wrong," Gale said.

"Then why didn't she come to say goodbye?" Ermela asked seriously.

"She went to the wrong room," Gale lied.

"Now you're just being ridiculous." Ermela said rolling her eyes.

"No really she did, she gave me something for you," Gale said.

Ermela decided to humor him, "What is it then?" She asked skeptically. Gale pulled out the caramels and handed them to her. Ermela opened the container and shoved it back at him, "You're lying."

"No I'm not," Gale said

"Either that or she's trying to just get it over with a kill me before I even get to the arena. I'm allergic to caramel."

"Oh sorry," Gale said.

"It's okay; you were only trying to help so you at least had the right intentions in doing so."

"Well, still," Gale said awkwardly.

"You get used to it." Ermela sighed.

"You should never have to," Gale said.

"I know, but it is what it is and you can't change it."

"Still," Gale said.

"My point is," Ermela restarted, "that no one would ever miss me if I died in these games. So, just focus on saving yourself."

"Okay I guess," Gale said.

"Where's Haymitch by the way?" She asked changing the subject. "He's supposed to be our mentor."

"I don't know drunk likely," Gale said.

"Undoubtedly, but drunk isn't a place." Ermela chuckled.

"Somewhere on the train," Gale said.

"Think we should maybe try to find him?" Ermela asked.

"Yeah we'll need to talk to him sometime," Gale said.

"Then let's go find him now." Ermela said heading further into the train.

"Wait up," Gale said chasing after her.

Ermela slowed down letting him catch up. They predictably found Haymitch in the bar car. "So how do we go about this?" Gale asked.

"Just kind of start like you'd do with anyone?" Ermela suggested.

"Oh right, sorry, I'm not...social," Gale said.

"Would you rather I handle it then?" Ermela offered.

"Yes please," Gale said gratefully.

Ermela nodded and went up to him not being noticed right away, she said cautiously, "Haymitch?"

He grunted awake and swung a knife at her but Ermela grabbed his arm before the knife could reach her and twisted it in a way that forced his hand to let go of the knife. "I'm pretty sure it's against the rules to kill a tribute before they are in the arena."

"What do you want?" He hiccupped

"Gale and I were both wondering if you had some kind of plan for us." Ermela said calmly letting go of his arm and handing him back his knife. "You are supposed to be our mentor after all."

"Yeah I got a plan, don't die!" He said chuckling.

"Is this some kind of joke to you?" Gale asked with an angry glare.

"Not a chance boy!" Haymitch said seriously.

"Then how about give some actual advice. I personally have three younger siblings and a single mother who need me too make it back home alive." Gale said still glaring as he moved over. "So I know not to die, the question is how?"

"One step at a time boy, your fighters I like that," Haymitch said.

"Well, Gale definitely is." Ermela said awkwardly despite the ninja reflexes and instincts she had just demonstrated. "Not really me though. I can't do anything."

"Did you just see your reflexes?" Gale asked stunned.

"The boy's right." Haymitch told her honestly. "With reflexes like that pretty much no one would stand a chance at killing you no matter what they come with."

"Seriously?" She asked skeptical.

"Of course, you even literally just demonstrated that you'd do perfectly fine if someone came at you with a knife." Haymitch reminded. "And that even gives you the potential to be good with a sword or quarterstaff since lighting responses are mostly what both are about."

"Okay," She said sounding hopeful.

"What about you?" He asked turning to Gale. "Any skills that you think might come in handy?"

"I can hunt and I'm pretty good with traps," Gale said.

"And a bow and arrow," Ermela added.

"Well I'm okay with those," Gale said.

"Don't sell yourself short." Ermela said ironically and turned to Haymitch. "He's way better than 'okay'."

"I'm not that good," Gale said.

"You're just comparing yourself to Katniss." Ermela said rolling her eyes.

"Well, maybe," Gale said.

"Well, it looks like I actually got a pair of fighters this year." Haymitch said honestly. "How are you guys at working a crowd?"

"Not great," Gale said.

"That's a problem than, you'll need to work on that, started when this train first comes into the Capitol."

"How?" Gale asked

"You need to make them like you from start to finish. That could get your sponsors which could save your damn life."

"How?" Ermela asked.

"How do you make people like you or how could it save your life?" Haymitch asked.

"Make people like us," Gale said.

"Basically here, you lie your ass off." Haymitch said, "Anything you think or feel especially directly related to the Hunger Games or the Capitol you say and act the exact opposite."

"Anything?" He asked.

"Assuming you don't actually have any positive opinions on either one of them."

"Got it," They both said attentively.

"So, basically make them think that we're very happy and honored to be in the games and that they're the nicest most thoughtful people we've ever meet?" Ermela concluded.

"Yes," Haymitch said

"Well, that sounds incredibly annoying, but makes sense why that would make them like us so I'll fake it as best as I can then." Ermela promised knowing that with the sponsor gifts it's just one account for both of them so that would help keep Gale alive.

"Exactly, so bite your tongue and deal with it," Haymitch said.

"Think could do that?" Ermela asked Gale.

"I think so," He said.

"Well, then that is all for today." Haymitch said grabbing a liquor bottle and leaving.

"Great!" Gale sighed.

"There must be way more information he know but isn't giving us. After all, he won without a mentor in a Quarter Quell against 47 other tributes instead of 23." Ermela inquired.

"We'll have you catch him in a sober moment," Gale said.

"How?" Ermela asked having never heard of such a thing.

"We could throw all the alcohol of the train." Gale suggested.

"He would be really angry," Ermela said.

"It would be the only way though. Besides, we're tributes so he can't hurt us." Gale reminded.

"Let's do it," She said.

Since they we already in the bar car they started grabbing as much as they could carry. They know there's alcohol in other parts but this was the logical first step.

"Do we just throw them out of the window?" Ermela asked.

"That would be quickest." Gale said opening the nearest window.

They began throwing the alcohol out the window. Once they had the bar car, which was obviously the most fully stocked, empty, they started searching the rest of the train.

"We have to search his room," Gale said

"Of course, but we need a backup plan if he catches us." Ermela reminded. "It might be best to target there last."

"Good plan," Gale said.

"So let's just look around the rest of the train for any stray bottles for now." Ermela suggested.

"That plan works," Gale said.

They set off checking all the rooms but Haymitch's and throwing any alcohol they found out the window.

"Is that all?" Gale asked throwing a bottle out the window and shutting it.

Ermela did a mental check of all the rooms, "Yeah, just Haymitch's is left."

"Good now we wait and sleep," Gale said.

"So, what exactly are we waiting for?" Ermela asked.

"I can't find my room," Gale said.

"Me neither I guess we should find Effie and ask then." Ermela suggested.

"Again, good plan!" Gale said.

They headed to the living car where they saw her during the liquor hunt. "Effie!" Gale called.

Effie turned and went over to them, "There are politer ways to get someone's attention but is there something you need?"

"Do you know where our rooms are?" Gale asked.

"Oh, right, of course, follow me." Effie said going out of the living car.

They followed her down the hall.

"Here we are." Effie said stopping between to rooms. "Gale's is on the right, Ermela's on the left."

"Thank you Effie," Gale said.

Ermela opened her door and looked in as Effie left. "Hopefully we'll be able to get some sleep."

"Yeah, good night," Gale said smiling

"Good night, Gale." Ermela said turning her head back also with a smile despite the current situation.

Gale closed his door and sighed this was likely his first long day of many ahead of him.

Ermela shut her door with a sigh as well, '12 may be a small district but why did it have to him?'

What do you think? Like it? Hate it? Review with your honest opinion! Long detailed reviews make me happy and help my writing and flames don't bother me. Just please review. *puppy-dog eyes*