Since the anonymous reviewer wouldn't let me reply back I'm putting a preface to this fic. The format is supposed to be this way. Gale's thoughts at this point would be a bit jumbled and rambling.
Title: Responsibility
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairing: Gale/Katniss
category: missing scene—Hunger Games
author's notes: I'm sure there are hundreds of these but thought I'd toss mine into the mix. :)
Summary: Gale tries to summon the courage to let Katniss go
Gale Hawthorne couldn't get Prim Everdeen's tearful face out of his mind. It was burned there. Just as much as Katniss's voice shouting that she'd volunteer.
Now as he paced the hallway of the Justice building, waiting for his turn, Gale struggled for control.
He had to be strong.
Catnip needed him to be.
With a thud Gale's right fist hit the polished wood wall.
Responsibility sucked
He'd put his name in forty-two times to feed his family.
He'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Just as Gale knew Katniss would volunteer a hundred times over to save Prim.
It was what families did for each other.
Gale shook his head sadly as he turned away from the wall. Even through the closed door he could hear Prim's sobs as she said goodbye to her sister.
It wasn't fair.
There were forty-two ways it wasn't fair.
Forty-two to one.
He should've been picked; he'd been prepared to be chosen.
Now because of slim odds and one piece of paper Gale's life was turned upside down.
Katniss was going into the arena instead of him.
He'd been trying to find a way to leave District Twelve and everyone he loved behind.
Saying goodbye to Catnip was going to be the hardest.
She was family, his heart and so much more rolled into one being.
Now Gale had to find a way to reverse his goodbye speech.
To watch Katniss being taken away by people he hated more than anything.
To watch her leave and not be able to do a damn thing about it.
The Peacekeepers moved towards the door gaining Gale's attention.
Prim's screams grew louder as the door opened.
Gale winced in sympathy as Katniss's mother and sister were practically yanked from the small room.
He caught a brief glimpse of Katniss before the door closed.
Sadness mixed with steely resolve were etched on her beautiful features.
She was beautiful.
One more thing Gale had never told her.
One more regret.
Another moment ripped away by the Capitol.
As Prim's cries died away the Peacekeepers returned and nodded at Gale.
"You've got three minutes."The older of the two Peacekeepers ordered crisply.
Taking a deep breathe Gale nodded and reached for the doorknob.
Inside was a terrified girl who had taken the ultimate responsibility to protect her family.
The bravest person he knew.
Gale had to tell Catnip that she was brave. That she could beat the odds.
That they'd see each other again.
To make both of them believe it was possible.
He wasn't ready to let Catnip out of his life yet.
Stepping through the door Gale knew he'd be able to say goodbye.
Simply because it wasn't goodbye.
end