The flight to District 2 was uneventful, hovercraft landing safely on a makeshift landing platform. Gale stepped out into the crisp twilight, looking around at the mountainous district. He'd been woken up this morning by the announcement that he was to go to 2 as part of a 'brains squad' to take care of the Capitol's military centre or the Nut, as they called it. It was situated within a large mountain at the heart of District 2 and Beetee had thought that perhaps the rebels could use the expertise of the boy with the snares.

He hadn't bothered saying goodbye to Peeta. Their time together felt somewhat surreal and dream-like. Gale's nighttime visit had left him with nothing but a greater sense of confusion and he welcomed the trip to District 2 to allow some time to process his thoughts.

Beetee sidled up beside Gale, taking in the vast District before them. "You're not needed until tomorrow so you have tonight off," said Beetee, "I think Katniss is on the edge of the village". He said the last comment as if he didn't want to mention Katniss and merely wanted to inform Gale of the situation. Gale nodded absently before sauntering off in the direction of which Beetee had gestured. It didn't take long before Katniss was in sight, a pile of what looked like geese at her feet and feathers scattered around her. She had her head down, focusing on relieving the bird in hand of its feathers. She looked up as Gale approached but didn't say anything, instead continued to focus on plucking the bird. Gale sat next to her on the log, picking up a bird to pluck himself. A slight wind made the feathers rise in small spirals around the two. It was a while before either one of them spoke.

"Any chance we'll get to eat these?" said Gale

"Yeah. Most go to the camp kitchen, but they expect me to give a couple to whoever I'm staying with tonight," replied Katniss, without looking up. "For keeping me".

"Isn't the honour of the thing enough?"

"You'd think, but word's got out that mockingjays are hazardous to your health". They plucked in silence for a little while longer.

"I saw Peeta yesterday. Through the glass," said Gale, unsure of why he felt the need to lie.

"What'd you think?"

"Something selfish"

"That you don't have to be jealous of him anymore?"

"No. Just the opposite," Gale said, reaching over to Katniss and plucking a feather from her hair. "I thought… I'll never compete with that. No matter how much pain I'm in. I don't stand a chance if he doesn't get better. You'll never be able to let him go. You'll always feel wrong about being with me".

"The way I always felt wrong about kissing him because of you". Gale twisted the feather in between his thumb and forefinger. It's true that he had thought selfishly at first but now his words felt empty.

"If I thought that was true, I could almost live with the rest of it". Gale let the wind take the feather from his hand as the familiar pain of love filled him.

"It is true," said Katniss, "but so is what you said about Peeta". Gale sighed loudly before they returned to plucking in silence.

Gale kept thinking of his discussion with Katniss as they dropped of the plucked poultry and headed off into the woods to collect kindling. He knew he loved Katniss but Peeta loomed in the back of his mind, filling him with the strange confusion-like emotion every time he came to the front of Gale's consciousness. The feeling rose inside of him and he felt an urge for normalcy. He leant into Katniss, wrapping his arms around her, his lips softly brushing her bruised neck and finding her lips. She kissed back, closing her eyes and feeling warmth flow between them. Gale paused, pulling away slightly. Kisses with Katniss weren't like this. He knew that she wasn't thinking of him and it stung. "Katniss," he said, putting his hand under her chin to stop her from leaning forward. She opened her eyes, the glaze fading fast from them. Her hand went to the scar on her left temple and she realised what he meant. This wasn't right, it wasn't what we did. "Now kiss me," said Gale before pressing his lips to Katniss's. It was brief but it left him saddened. "What's going on in your head?" he said as he scanned her face.

"I don't know," she whispered as she turned away, her eyes downcast. Gale didn't know what was happening in his own head at the moment either. They continued talking, avoiding heavy subjects but feeling the weight of words unsaid.

Hours of discussion in a stuffy room weren't good for Gale. He sat restlessly as the 'brains' discussed the Nut. No one could decide on anything and tensions were running high. Eventually Gale piped up, suggesting that they disable the Nut instead of trying to take it. By creating avalanches down the sides of the mountain that housed the military base they would be able to trap everyone inside. Everyone stared at him in silence as his intent to use a death trap became clear. Gale stood, burning for revenge as thoughts of District 12 spun in his head. He needed this for what they'd done the innocent citizens of 12. What they'd done to Katniss. What they'd done to Peeta.

Gale was sitting in Special Defence when word that Katniss was awake reached him. He made his way through the underground warren and to the hospital. The rebels had carried out a slightly modified version of his plan and it had worked spectacularly. Katniss had then tried to be a hero and got herself shot. Gale chuckled to himself when he thought of all the greatly exaggerated rumours of Katniss's death.

Johanna was sitting on the edge of Katniss's bed when Gale arrived at the ward. "Your cousin's not afraid of me," said Johanna before getting up and walking over to Gale. "Are you, gorgeous?" she said as she passed him, bumping him with her hip. Her laughter continued down the hallway as Gale took Katniss's hand, mouthing 'terrified' to her. Katniss laughed which quickly turned into a wince.

"Easy," said Gale as he stroked her face. "You've got to stop running into trouble". He felt good being able to make Katniss laugh, it felt natural He was glad for the normality.

"I know. But someone blew up a mountain"

"You think I'm heartless"

"I know you're not. But I won't tell you it's OK". Gale stomach twisted in impatience and disappointment. He had wanted to savour that moment, that glimpse of the old Katniss.

The conversation went downhill from then on, ending in a tense silence.

Gale still hadn't visited Peeta since he left for District 2. The feelings of confusion were quelled and Gale hoped they would remain dormant if he avoided contact with the baker. District 13 was buzzing with excitement as Finnick and Annie's wedding loomed. Decorations and music were hastily put together for the humble celebration. 300 hundred guests collectively sighed as the happy couple sealed their nuptials with a kiss. Dancing then ensued, Gale being led by Greasy Sae to kick it off. Gale looked at everyone as he spun. Everyone was smiling, everyone was happy. It wasn't long before a massive cake was brought out. It was frosted to look like the sea. Hundreds of shades of blue and green melted together to create waves. Fish swam and quaint sailboats topped the cake. A rush of the confused feelings in his gut told him that the blonde baker had created it. He scanned the room quickly but was unable to see Peeta. He probably wasn't allowed outside his cell yet, Gale reasoned. He saw Katniss and Haymitch slip out of the hall. Curiosity tugged him out of the hall to follow them down to Peeta's cell.

After a short while Gale saw Katniss storming off down the hallway, Haymitch standing morosely by Peeta's door. Gale ran to the end of the corridor, trying to gage which way she went. After taking a guess he made his way through the District 13 labyrinth, his search leading him back to Peeta's cell without finding Katniss. The lights were low in the hospital and the team of psychiatrists had retired for the night. Gale took a deep breath before turning off the cameras and stepping inside the cell. The baker lay on his side, three restraints strapped on each arm. His breath was soft and his expression peaceful as Gale approached him. The hunter smiled at the innocence that surrounded the boy's slumber. How he looked almost child-like when curled up in sleep. Gale closed his eyes and breathed deeply as the confusing feelings swam inside him. For some reason they made him feel at peace as they filled him with warmth.

The rebel's preparation for the invasion of the Capitol was in full swing. Katniss and Johanna were one of the many whose sole purpose was to fight in the Capitol. They trained hard everyday, helping each other when they could. Gale, having been already been chosen to go to the Capitol, attended the advanced stream classes. He didn't see much of Katniss or Peeta and devoted every moment to his preparation.

Katniss's relationship with Peeta didn't seem to be improving. Whenever they were in the same room together, there was a palpable tension that weighed on everyone in the vicinity. The 'star-crossed lovers' was still being dragged out, much to Gale's chagrin. He hated that he would never be with whom he loved because of that, but he was starting to wonder who that was.

Peeta was given the clear to start training, mainly for the cameras. Gale would sometimes watch him as he was pushed through his exercises. The baker's muscles rippling smoothly under his government-issued shirt stirred something unholy in the hunter. Gale shuddered, glancing away in shame. What was his strange fixation with the boy with bread?

As the invasion grew near, Gale, Katniss and Finnick were put into a squad of sharpshooters. Katniss's excitement was radiant when she met Squad 451. Gale smiled slightly, glad to be working with his best friend again. Being around her had a calming effect on his confused feelings. He knew he loved Katniss, he didn't have to question it and was glad for the stability.

Naturally, the squad was outraged when named the 'Star Squad'. The fact that they wouldn't be able to fight and were instead posing for the cameras ignited a fire in their blood. Gale felt humiliated that all those months of training he'd been through were wasted in front of a camera crew, from the Capitol no less.

Squad 451 were shipped out with a battalion of grey uniforms bound for the Capitol. It was a long four-day trip and spirits were low by the time the tents were pitched. Boredom added to the weight since the sharpshooters were only able shoot at windows and such. The shooting of an occasional pod broke the monotony but not enough to relieve the squad of their slumber. It was when one of their members, Leeg 2, died of a piece of shrapnel to the head from a mislabelled pod, that interest was sparked.

"I think the replacement's being sent today," said Finnick as he picked at a bit of grass by his feet.

"I wonder who they'll choose," said Katniss absent-mindedly

"Hopefully someone better than this train wreck," smiled Finnick as he nudged Katniss.

"Yeah yeah, I can still hit a bullseye better than you pretty boy," she laughed, nudging him back. The squad continued the conversation, trying to keep it light hearted in the wake of their fallen comrade. It wasn't long before a truck full of fresh soldiers rumbled into the camp. Everyone turned lazily toward it, studying the new recruits as they stepped out. Gale turned back around after seeing the first few, no longer interested. Katniss tensed next to him, letting out a little gasp. He looked at her for an explanation but her eyes were locked on the truck. He followed her gaze until he too let out a small gasp. Blonde hair glistened in the sunlight and the once warm blue eyes stared coldly ahead. A surge of happiness followed by confusion and anger crashed inside Gale as he watched Peeta cross the camp toward them, red ink reading 451 on the back of his hand.