I stretch in an attempt to shake the sleep from my body. I look over and I'm about to panic when I see Peeta is gone. I do not trust anyone here in 13 except for the people that came in here with me. I jump out of bed and I'm about to walk out of the door when I hear the shower running, and I relax.

Why am I so paranoid? I crawl back into bed and wait patiently for Peeta to come out. A few minutes go by before I hear the water turn off. I sit up in the bed and realize how dumb I'll look if he comes out and I'm just sitting here waiting for him, so I pull the book off of the nightstand and flip to a random page.

Peeta walks out of the bathroom and my mouth goes dry. His chest is bare and he has a towel wrapped around his waist. The muscles in his arms take me by surprise, I never imagined him to be so, strong. Water drips from his wet blonde curls and fall in smalls beads onto his chest, when his eyes register I'm awake, and looking directly at him, his eyes widen.

"Uh, didn't think you'd be up. I have no more clean clothes here, I was going to run over to my room and grab some."

"Like that?" I say teasingly, cocking my head to the side.

He blushes some and then looks down at himself.

"Do you think you could run over there?" he asks rather shyly.

I grin at him before I finally answer. "Yeah sure, I'll be right back."

I walk back into my room and find Peeta sitting on the bed, patiently waiting for his clothes. I extend my arm out, handing him his clothes. I'm about to pull my arm away when his hand grips onto my wrist and he pulls me forward. Our lips meet, and my body seems to know what it's doing before I do, because my thighs clamp onto his waist. I begin to push my fingers through his hair as our kiss deepens.

I'm lost in the kiss when I feel his hips buck upwards and directly into my center, causing a moan to escape my mouth.

It's just enough to make me come to realization of what's going to happen if we don't stop. I rest my hand on his chest, pushing him back a little, and our eyes meet. My mind is stirring with thoughts, and I feel dizzy.

"I'm-uh" I stutter.

He bites down on his lip before he gives me a small shy smile, reaching up he pushes a strand of fallen hair back behind my ear.

"Hey, it's okay. We don't have to do anything, I just really wanted to kiss you."

I feel a heat spread across my whole body and I close my eyes, resting my forehead against his. You told Gale you didn't want to be with anyone, your actions aren't saying that!

"Believe me, I wanted to kiss you too." I whisper.

I wrap my arms around his neck and he lays back onto the bed. We stay like that for a while. My legs wrapped around the sides of his waist. He slowly drags just one finger up and down my spine, and it makes my body come to life. Every hair on my body stands up, and my heart beats quickly.

My mind is yelling at me, to put an end to this. That I'm not meant to end up with anyone. That I might not even live, and if I don't that I should make the list of people I hurt as small as possible.

The door opening startles me and I whip my head around, but I am unable to get off of Peeta before they walk in.

My heart drops as in walks Johanna, and Gale right behind her.

"Well look what we have here, I didn't think you had it in you, brainless." Johanna smirks.

But I see no smirk from Gale, all I see is pure hatred, and I think it's directed at me. I climb off of Peeta, and clear my throat before I turn to face them.

"Gale-I." I stutter.

"President Coin requested a meeting with all of us, you knew the time to be there. Appears you were busy doing other things."

"You mean doing other people." Johanna snickers, and I shoot her a glare.

Peeta stands up, and awkwardly and announces he's going to get dressed.

"Well, it appears you two have some issues to talk about, so I'll see you all in the conference room. Make it snappy, Coin doesn't strike me as the patient type." Johanna says before leaving.

We stand there awkwardly for a few moments. Gale's eyes landing on everything but me.

"Please look at me."

Finally his eyes meet mine, and I'm surprised when I see tears in his eyes. It hurts me, but it makes me come to realization.

"Gale-"

I'm cut off when Peeta comes out of the bathroom, he glances between Gale and I.

"I can go and let you guys talk."

"No. I don't want to piss Coin off. We can have this conversation later." Gale replies.

The walk to the meeting is awkward and goes on forever. I let out a deep breath when we finally reach the door.

"Glad you guys could make it." Coin says as we sit down, clearly unhappy.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes and walk out of the room. I feel Peeta's hand squeeze my knee and I give him a small smile.

"So, Heavensbee has requested to take your squad out of District 13 and to District 12."

My first thought is excitement that I get to leave this hell-hole and go above ground. Breathe fresh air, hunt. That's where my excitement stops. I can only imagine how many more dead bodies are out there now. Including Peeta's family!

"No." I blurt out.

Heavensbee and Coin look at me questioningly.

"District 12 is where we all lived, I don't think seeing the ruins of it is what we need for motivation."

"That's what will make it more powerful, you will be emotional. You need to be emotional for people to get moved by it." Heavensbee replies.

"Fine, I'll go. With the camera crew and no one else, send them to a different district."

Heavensbee looks to Coin, awaiting permission, or so I assume.

"You will take her, Gale, Finnick, Cressida and Pollux to District 12. Peeta, Johanna, and the rest of the film crew go to District 8. It was reported there was some bombing there a few days ago, so there's only wounded left. No reason for the capitol to target it again."

No! Peeta stays safe in district 13.

"Peeta stays in District 13." I say sternly.

I feel his eyes on me, and I turn my head to him.

"I signed up for this too Katniss, I have to do this." He says, finalizing his decision.

I want to argue, but I know it will do no good. He's right, there is no reason he should stay here in District 13, as much as I want him to.

"So it's settled, you leave at lunch." Coin says as she stands up.

I look at the clock and I realize that's only two hours away. I grab Peeta's hand and begin to quickly walk, pulling him with me, not stopping until we reach my room.

Once we're in the room I flop onto the bed and pat next to me, and so he lays right next to me. I scoot closer to him, resting my head on his out stretched arm.

"I wish you were staying here." I whisper.

"I wish the same thing for you, but sacrifices have to be made." He whispers back.

"If these are my last few hours, and I get blown up in District 12, I'm glad they're with you."

He looks at me sadly before he pulls me close.

"Don't say things like that. We will be here together, in bed by midnight."

I smile at the thought and sit up slightly so I can leave a gentle kiss on his cheek. Then I wrap myself around him and stay like that until we hear a knock at the door.

I open up the door and find Haymitch.

"Ready, sweetheart?"

I nod, and turn back to Peeta who is already putting his shoes on.

xXxXxXx

The train we're riding in is huge. Just looking at it makes me nauseous and anxious. I've never even ridden in a car, let alone something that goes twice as fast. I find myself wishing Peeta was here with me. But he doesn't board his Train for another hour, and it's a completely different train and destination than mine. Maybe telling him to go to a different District was a bad idea. Don't be selfish, he can't go back to District 12, he won't be able to handle it!

I sigh as I slump into a seat, my thoughts begin to overwhelming me. I can't believe how much has changed since the virus outbreak, at the beginning of this our biggest threat was the infected, and they were barely a threat unless they were in a huge horde.

A lot has changed in my personal life too. I remembered the miserable pain grief brings. Friends have changed. 2 weeks ago I would have wanted and needed Gale at my side. Now it's Peeta. What has changed Gale so much?

I glance over at him and today he wears his apathetic face. That's when it hits me. Gale's family wasn't at District 13. How could I have been so stupid? He must hate me, and he has the right to. I've been so caught up in the rebellion and Peeta that I didn't even ask him if he was okay. I silently curse at myself.

I hear the engine of the train start and we lurch forward, and my stomach jumps. When we finally reach what I assume is our maximum speed, I walk over to Gale and sit next to him.

"Gale, I didn't even think about them. I am so horrible and I am so sorry."

When he looks at me, he still looks apathetic, but only for a second. Then I see nothing but sadness. So I pull him towards me and wraps my arms around him.

"I forgive you, Katnip." He whispers.

xXxXxXxX

The ride to District 12 is short. Only took half the day. It's almost dark when we arrive, so we decide to wake at the crack of dawn and shoot the propos then.

I lay in my bed staring at the ceiling for what feels like hours. Sleeping alone feels foreign.

I toss and turn a few more hours before I get up and wander around the train. I walk into the dining room and find Gale sitting at the table.

"Can't sleep either?"

His head turns and he smiles at me.

"Motion sickness, didn't think it was a real thing, but I can confirm first hand."

I laugh slightly, before sitting across from him. I clear my throat before I begin talking again.

"They're out there, Gale. I know your brothers, they would know exactly what to do. Just like you did." I say sympathetically.

He gulps before he answers. "I have hope, but I also have fear and right now, fear is overpowering the little bit of hope that I do have, and I don't know what to do about it Kat."

"Just be strong." I reply before standing back up.

"Can I walk you to your room?" he asks.

I nod and he stands. The walk back is short, and when we reach my door we stand looking at each other awkwardly. I reach my arm out and softly squeeze his arm, before I turn around and open the door, the door is almost closed when he calls out my name.

I freeze for a few seconds before I pull the door back open.

"Yeah?"

"Can I stay with you?"

The question overwhelms me, and I ponder the idea of what it would be like to sleep in Gale's arms.

"I don't think that's a good idea." I respond quietly.

There's a silence before he speaks again.

"Uh-Ya. Sorry, dumb idea. Goodnight." And then I hear footsteps growing further and further away.

I crawl into bed, and I don't know exactly why, but tears fill my eyes and fall onto my cheeks. When I was younger I always imagined Gale would be it for me, the one. That is if I ever decided a relationship is what I want. We would grow old enough and realize we were right for each other, but then Peeta came into my life, like a whirl wind. Messing up all of my plans. When I'm with him, I am consumed by my feelings for him.

Gale told me to make my choice, well I made it. Now I just have to tell Peeta, that it's him. That I pick him, and Gale was never an option. That yes I love him, but it could never be more than a friend.

I fall asleep with a smile on my face.