Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games

Authors note: Yes, well, here is another Hunger Games fanfic. This all takes place after the rebellion when Katniss is 18 and Peeta is 19.

Chapter Five

Burn, Baby, Burn

While my mouth continues to hang open, Gale carries me out the window and we land in my backyard.

" Gale'', I hiss." We could get caught''. He grins and points to the electrified fence.

" See that?'', he says." That's our ticket out of here''. I look at him with an unbelievable expression." Then , we're gonna go find Prim''.

" Are you crazy?'', the idea is so preposterous, that I actually consider slapping him across the face a few times."We'd get electrified, and'', I point to the Justice Building." Talus has the entire District on high alert. We wont make it five feet away from the house. Not to mention it's 3:00 am and way past curfew''. He slips me a sly grin, the points at the trees that line the block.

" We could climb em'. It would take some work, but we could jump to the fence than jump out of the tree that's over it''.

A tall Oak. It's branches stretch about 20 feet and I'm about to go with it when I remember that we're going on foot.

" What about food and water?'', I say. " The nearest district is three days away. District 10 is north, so no bet that it would be colder and way more harder to get to than 11. " Along with clothing and-''.

" Got all that in here'', he pats a large duffel bag on his shoulder. " So, you in?''. I nearly pass up his offer then I remember. This is Prim we're talking about.

" Sure'', I reply, thinking about how I'm going to react when I finally find her.

Gale grabs my hand and we duck and dodge the lights of the watch tower. We squat by the first tree. A towering Willow with long branches and flowing leaves that sway in the cold wind. Gale climbs first, reaching the first branch, then gives me his hand. I hesitate before grabbing it and he yanks me up. Gale goes first climbing up the next sets of branches and I follow. The branches are hard and bumpy, scratching and scrapping my hands a few time. When we arrive at the all the way top, I feel a little dizzy realizing that we're about 60ft in the air.

" Oh. My. God'', I say." How the heck are we gonna survive if we fall?''. Gale shrugs and reaches for the branch of the next tree.

" Just trust me, okay?''. I don't know why, but I have the urge to trust him. I nod slowly and he grabs the next branch and proceeds to slide off the tree.

" Gale!'', I hiss rather loudly. He lets out a soft chuckle and raises himself up.

" I'm fine, Katniss''. He looks at me expectantly. " Your turn''.

I take a shaky breath and reach for the next branch. Gripping it firmly in my hands, I kick off the tree branch and briskly make my way onto the next tree.

" Now, was that so hard?'', Gale ask, and I nod my head and laugh with him.

Everything runs smoothly and finally, we arrive at the last tree. Gale goes first and he jumps over the fence and makes his way to the tree over it. I go, and grasp the slender branch in my hands. As I pull myself up, my hand slips and I start squealing as I fall to the fence. Gale catches my arm and pulls me up to him.

" I got ya'', He coos, rubbing small, comforting circles on my back. " I got ya''.

We climb down and land on the forest floor with a soft thump.

" Now what?'', I question. " Where do we go next?''.

He points east and I know where we're going. District 8. I've seen it on TV and the pictures of the dry deserts that outline it don't make me feel at ease walking there with him.

" No way am I walking through those deserts'', I shake my head.

" Katniss, do you wanna find your sister or not?''. I roll my eyes and we begin to walk east and deeper into the forest." Besides, we'll be fine''.

We walk for a few more hours, finally setting up camp in a cave. A small lake lies near it. When we step inside, Gale lays down a large sleeping bag and pats on it.

" Ready for bed?'', he ask. He smiles a little and I let out a tiny giggle. Giggling? I never giggle. Prim and Effie are the ones that giggle. Then again, anything can happen with Gale.

" Sure'', I say.

I lay down and pull the covers up to my chin. Gale slides in beside me and I blush a bit. The warmth of his body soothes the cold flesh on my bones. His breath tickles my ear and I feel his strong hands brush a stray hair out of my face. I close my eyes and snuggle deeper down into the covers.

" Katniss'', he whispers, putting a warm hand on my cheek. " What do you really feel for me?''.

I lay there for a few minutes, thinking maybe I should just pretend to be asleep. But seriously, I actually owe him this, with him kissing me and all.

" Gale, you're my best friend'', I whisper back, turning on my left side and looking into his eyes. " I don't want to ruin that''.

" Then just tell me the truth'', he cups my face in his hands." I'll still be your best friend no matter what''. I breath in and let it out my nose.

" I feel something for you, Gale''. The words come out of my mouth and they feel so normal to say, as if these words are said by me everyday. " I feel something strong and everytime you leave'', I gulp. " It makes me feel a bit of pain''. These words, seeming so simple in my mind, could be the single phrases that could tear me and Gale apart.

" Do you love me, Katniss''. I shake my head.

" I don't love you, Gale'', I whisper. " But there's something there. A spark maybe. I don't love you'', I lean in a bit closer." But I do feel something for you''.

We lay there a few minutes, gazing into each others eyes. Then Gale crushes his lips to mine.

Hot and soft. That's what Gale's lips feel on mine.

He cups my face and I lean into the kiss. That spark, the one I said happens between me and Gale, has turned into a ferocious flame that could torch the world.

And can never be put out.

He leans back and looks into my eyes again. '' What about now. Is is still just a spark?''.

" No'', I breath, my chest heaving up and down." It's a flame''. And we kiss again, our lips molding together like a puzzle. His taste is sweet. Strawberries and Vanilla. His hands now hold my hips in place and I entangle my fingers in his hair. Peeta's kisses were never this intense. Never this emotional. Not before or after the abuse. Just mindless pecks on the cheek or mouth. Gale's kisses...

Could burn down every aspect of the universe.

Pulling apart, I lay flat on my back. Gale's hand finds its way into mine, never letting go.

" I love you, Katniss Everdeen'', he says, wrapping me in his arms." I don't care if you don't feel the same way. I love you''. I can't deny it. The pull between me and Gale is not just a small spark. Not a ferocious flame. It is an intensified inferno that could destroy every molecule in existence and could make every romance int the universe look like a useless fling.

Gale finally lets go of my hand and I want to pull it back as if I might fall apart without it.

" We should go to sleep'', I say, grabbing back his hand." We have a long journey tomorrow''. Gale nods and pulls me into his chest. I grip his black shirt, the soft wool warming me. " Good night, Gale''.

" Good night, Girl On Fire'', he looks down and smiles and I smile back.

I go to sleep engulfed in an intense flame that I never want to escape from