I don't own the Hunger Games! Enjoy.

"Welcome to the Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor, Gale Hawthorne from District Twelve."

I immediately shoot up off the ground, but Peeta catches my arm and pulls me back down.

"Let me go!" I yell.

"Stop it, Katniss!" he says as I thrash in his arms. I finally calm down enough to ask Peeta, "What do we do, Peeta? They have…" and then I remember the game. "They have my cousin," I say dejectedly.

Peeta rubs my back and sighs. "I know. This doesn't change anything though. We'll find him and you and he can go back to District Twelve. I know he'll protect you and the baby. That's all I want."

Closing my eyes, I'm reminded again how good Peeta is. "I don't deserve you." Feeling his eyes on me, I continue brokenly, "Why do you love me? I've done nothing but…" I swallow down the words that would only prove our deception. I want to say, I've done nothing but hurt you, but I can't. We'll probably die and I can't even give him a proper apology. "I'm sorry."

He smiles softly. "Make it up to me by living. That's what I want." I can't reply. It's not what I want or deserve, so I'm quiet until he speaks again. "Let's find that cousin of yours before the Careers do. Come on, Katniss."

I didn't get far from the make-shift camp. Heading back to the others, I hear them planning the next move.

Johanna steps up next to me. "We're trying to figure out where they would send your cousin. Finnick thinks he might be near us, since he's supposed to protect you and all. Volts and I think they'll just throw him into the Cornucopia, make him an easy target."

"That last one sounds about right."

Peeta says to Finnick, "We should split up then. One group goes to the Cornucopia and the other checks the surrounding area. We all meet up back on the beach."

We agree and decide who goes with whom. "I refuse to leave Peeta. Not after what happened with the force field. I think Finnick knows that if it was Annie out there, I'd do anything I could to keep her safe for him. Will you do the same for me, Finnick?"

His eyes flash a moment, and then he says with assurance, "Don't worry. We'll find him."

"Thank you."

Beetee, Peeta, and I go into the jungle. We don't go near the jabberjays. I'm not afraid of the Careers right now. I only have one thought in mind. Find Gale.

"Gale!" I call. "Gale where are you?" Then I hear a humming sound. Peeta grabs hold of my shirt and pulls me back to hide behind a tree. We stay low and soon see what's making the sound. There's a hovercraft in the air. Immediately, I know that on that vessel is Gale. Just when I think they're going to lower a crane with Gale in its clutches, the craft moves further into the middle of the arena.

"Johanna was right, it appears," says Beetee.

Peeta looks at him nervously and asks, "You think they're going to the island?" I don't know what Beetee says, but I know Peeta is watching me closely. My eyes find his and see there's a distinct fear on his face. I can't recall him ever looking at me that way except for maybe when I pulled out the nightlock.

We run towards the beach, cutting through vines as we go and make it to the shore. There is just enough time for me to see Gale get pushed out of the craft and fall into the water. I have a sudden flashback of the fear in Peeta's eyes when he saw the water surrounding him on the metal disc. "Oh no. Gale!" I scream. "Peeta, he can't swim!"

"Finnick will get him," Peeta says. "He hasn't let us down yet." I search the island for Finn and Johanna. They were picking up some more weapons and supplies from the Cornucopia when the hover craft flew in. Just then Finnick dives into the water towards where Gale fell. Johanna is left to watch from the island. She gets into a defensive stance and circles once slowly until Finnick reappears with Gale on his back.

That's when one of the Careers make their move. But it's not an attack on Finnick and Johanna. Peeta yells for me to run as he pushes me away from him. I'm flung a few yards away towards the water as he fights Chaff off. He must have snuck up on us when we were distracted. I scramble to get up off the ground and arm my bow.

Chaff is ready to send a strike at Peeta when I shoot the older victor in the knee. He tries to ignore the pain for a moment but Johanna and Finnick with Gale on his back are here now. Rushing into the fray, Johanna slashes Chaff and pushes him off Peeta. I have another arrow ready in case any other victors show, but no one does.

"Come on," says Johanna. "We need to find somewhere safe." She looks around as if she knows there's another person out there hiding amongst the trees, but then decides she's just being paranoid. After spinning around, she starts to lead the way down the sandy shore. I run up to Finn who's got Gale.

"How is he? Is he breathing?" I ask.

"I think so, but you should make sure. I think he's unconscious. Didn't really have the chance to check him though," he smiles, but I know it's forced.

I reach up to feel for Gale's pulse. With another hand I try to sense if he's breathing. I can only just make out that he is breathing. I sigh in relief. We keep on running along the edge where the shore and jungle meet. I glance back to see how Peeta's doing. He's holding onto his arm with a grimace but manages to smile at me. I must get them somewhere safe. For Gale and Peeta's safety, I look straight ahead and I continue to run.

Thanks for reading and reviewing!