Hey guys! So after posting the last chapter, I got 5 reviews over the course of one night! Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed. As usual review responses will be at the end. Hope you enjoy this new chapter!


I wake up on the couch to the sound of coffee being made. I glace over into the kitchen and see Haymitch.

"What are you doing here?" I ask. I try to sound angry but it just comes out weak.

"Well, sweetheart, we need to talk." he says, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"Finally decided to stop being drunk and actually be there for me?" I ask. This time I really do sound angry.

"Look it wasn't my fault-" he starts.

"Oh so now being holed up in your house drinking isn't your fault? You're my only family left now Haymitch. I need you in my life. We've been through too much together, don't abandon me now."

He sighs, "I'm sorry, you're right."

I'm surprised he apologized so I decide to forgive him. I know that getting over his alcohol addiction is hard. I nod and say, "So what do we need to talk about?"

"Peeta is a wreck without you and I know you are the same. And don't try to argue, I know Gale isn't making you happy again."

He jumped right in didn't he? "So what do you suggest I do about it Haymitch? I can't force him to like me again."

"Have you even tried? Have you seen him at all?"

"Gale and I tried to trade to him and he almost slammed the door in my face." I say.

"You need to try to talk to him." Haymitch insists.

"He doesn't want to see me Haymitch and I'm not going to follow him around like a puppy begging him to take me back."

Hamitch sighs, " Katniss he wants to see you more than you understand. Its his own kindness holding him back from doing it."

"Well when he decides he wants to see me again he can come to me himself. I don't need you to carry messages for him." I say stubbornly.

"I'm not carrying a message, I'm telling you the truth about him."

I just sit there. I've made my decision about him.

"Fine," Haymitch says in defeat, "But just know I'm trying to help you. I will say I think I regret calling Gale."

"Why?" I ask suspiciously.

"I don't know. He's really changed. Something about him unsettles me now."

"Oh relax Haymitch, I can take care of myself."

"You sure about that?" He asks and with that, he walks out the door leaving me puzzled.

Of course I can take care of myself what is he trying to suggest? I know I'm not as stable as I was before but that doesn't make a difference. Besides, Gale would never hurt me. I conclude that I am over-thinking things and drop the matter. Just as I am about to sit down to eat the phone rings.

I answer it, unsure of who would be calling me, "Hello?"

"Canip?"

"Gale? I didn't know you had a phone in your house." I say surprised.

"They put one in every house when they rebuilt the District 12 Katniss." he chuckles.

"Oh," I say.

He pauses, " Hey do you want to go for a walk around town?"

"What is there to do in town?" I ask.

"Not to go do something, just...to talk I guess."

"Um, okay." I say. I think I hear him breathe a sigh of relief.

"Great meet me in town in 15 minutes." He hangs up before I can reply.


15 minutes later I am dressed in trousers, a green shirt, and my hunting jacket, standing in the square. I see Gale walk up along the path. I wave to show him where I am and he walks up beside me.

"So what were you planning on doing today?" I ask.

"I don't know, just walk around. Hang out?"

"Okay," I say and we head off into town.


I must say it was fun to catch up with the people who are still alive. We met lots of new faces too. I'm surprised anyone would move to District 12 then I remember that things have changed now. I don't know if I'm ever really going to adjust. We are nearing the end of the afternoon when Gale suddenly takes my arm and pulls me into a side road that leads between two buildings.

"What are you doing?" I ask cautiously.

"I have to tell you something." Gale says quietly.

"Okay what is it?"

He takes a deep breath and begins, " Katniss, I'm still in love with you. I never stopped loving you. When we kissed in District 2 I thought it was a start for us but then you made up with Peeta. Now that he's out of the picture we can be together!"

"Gale, don't talk about Peeta like that. He's just trying to protect me."

"I know, I know, but think of the opportunity that came out of it."

Before I can reply, he takes my face in his hands and kisses me. At first I kiss him back but then stop. When I kiss him I feel nothing. No spark, no passion. I can't lead him on like this, I have to tell him the truth.

"Gale stop." I say pushing him away, "I really care about you, but we can't be together."

"Why," Gale asks, puzzled.

"I just don't feel that way about you. When I would kiss you before I felt a spark and now there's...nothing."

"That's just because we haven't seen each other in so long. At least give me a chance." Gale says desperately.

"No. I don't want to lead you on when I don't feel anything. Can we still be friends?" I say carefully.

His face clouds with anger, "No we can't be 'just friends'. I love you. This is about bread boy isn't it? He's blinding you Katniss. We need to be together."

"Gale I said no. I don't want to hurt your feelings but I'm not changing my mind."

His face darkens and he pins me up against the wall of a building.

"Gale what are you doing? Get off me." I say. I struggle against his hold but can't break his grip.

"I'm showing you that we were meant to be together." he says pressing his lips to mine.

Suddenly I realize Haymitch is right. Gale has changed. I let him go to far and now I can't go back. Realizations dawns on me on what he is about to do and I start screaming. He tries to cover my mouth with his hand but I bite it and keep screaming praying someone will hear. He gets his hand over my mouth and starts to reach under my shirt. That's when the tears come. I don't want this. I just want to die right now before he can do anything else to me. He starts to unbuckle his pants and I close my eyes waiting for the worst when I feel him being yanked away from me. I keep my eyes closed and sink to the ground sobbing. Through my sobs I can hear punches being thrown and Gale's cries of pain.

When the sounds stop, all I hear is Gale's moans for a minute then I am swept off the ground into someone's arms. I open my eyes and see two bright blue ones staring back at me. Before I can say anything, he presses his lips to mine. I taste the familiar taste of bread. When we finally break apart, he sets me back on the ground. I see Gale lying unconscious on the ground behind him.

"Peeta," I barely whisper. Tears start to come again and I am sobbing. He picks me up and carries me into the bakery. He carries up the stairs to where he stays and puts me down on his bed.

"I'm so sorry," he whispers. Tears are starting to pool in his eyes.

"For what?" I ask, " You saved me from...him" I say.

"For leaving you and hurting you enough that you let him back into your life. I'll never leave you again." he says, stroking my hair.

I smile and close my eyes, "Stay with me?" I ask quietly.

"Always," he says curling up beside me. I hear one last thing before I drift off to sleep: "I love you."


Dramatic! It was so hard for me to write that. I decided to make Gale the bad guy clearly. I have had this plan for a while so I'm glad some people asked me to make him the bad guy. Let me know what you think in a review. I'm not really sure what else to do with this story. There might be another chapter or two. I might do either an epilogue or a sequel. Leave me any ideas you have in a review. I need all of them :)

As always, here are the review responses:

firefoxxe: How's this for a big interaction? :) I really appreciated your ideas and tips because they have more than once given me new ideas for this story. Can't wait to see what you think of this new chapter.

Sandy: Glad you are enjoying it. You basically said exactly what I was planning on happening next in the story in your last review :) Hope you liked it!

Guest: I was so happy when I read this review. The last thing I want is for my story to get predictable so I'm glad it keeps you guessing. Here's the next update!

Occy3: I always like getting your reviews. Thanks so much for sticking with me through these chapters. Hope you liked this update!

auntlori530: Glad you like the little change in character. Yes Peeta was being hard-headed but you can see he isn't now :) and you can see I did make Gale a bad guy. Hope you liked the update!