"It's so nice that you came," Gale said, opening his arms. "And Peeta, it's great that you came too."
"Gale," Peeta said, putting an arm around Katniss. "We both came to tell you, we're engaged. For real. Katniss has her own life now, and she doesn't want to be a part of yours. Besides, you're married." Katniss nodded.
"Please," Gale said, "can't old friends just get together to talk about old times?"
Katniss spoke: "I would love to, Gale," she said. "But I don't know where my friend is. I know my friend that I came to the Capitol with. When I see you, I don't see him. If you want to meet as friends, be my friend again."
Gale took a step back, looking vaguely puzzled. Peeta took a step forward. "Gale, we wouldn't have come if we didn't think you were still in there," he said. "We still love you, Gale, everyone who knew you still does- for what you did, and who you were. Don't make us regret it any more than we already do. It's not too late, Gale. Just stop this. Give up your powers. Give up your office. If you have to, give up her."
Gale looked as if he had been told to give up breathing. "No, I couldn't possibly do that," he said to nobody in particular. "I need her. I wouldn't be anything without her."
Katniss suddenly put her arms around him. "Please, Gale," she said. "Do it for me, and for her."
Gale swiveled, gazing out the window. "I know!" he said. "You should have your wedding in the Capitol! You know, there's still a warehouse full of stuff Snow ordered when you first got engaged. You know, Jo loves wedding planning, and she's been disappointed that we didn't take time to do more with ours. She still tells me, with just a little more work, we could have gotten at least another thousand guests... Oh, she will love it, and we can all get together and really talk about old times."
"Thank you, Gale," Katniss said. "That would be wonderful."
Gale was still looking out the window, still smiling, as she and Peeta walked out. After a while, a frown crept onto his face. He spun around. "I know," he said. "I will go see the Presidents."
Short chapter... This is the first time I have tried to write a scene with Katniss (not counting Mutt-doubles in "The Hanging Tree"), and I didn't care for drawing it out. A major reason I have made my HG fics about Gale and/or Johanna is that Katniss just doesn't work for me or my writing style. Still, I think this scene works better than I would have expected, so I might try bringing Katniss into something sooner or later.
