~A/N~

I just want to send a thank you to Browniangel! She (I'm guessing you're a she… If not, I apologize completely‼ ) has reviewed almost every chapter and has given me complete detailed reviews! She made me totally happy! So the reason this has been uploaded so quickly, is because of her! So go thank her for making me so excited to upload! =) Ok I'm done now… =P

Disclaimer: I don't own anything‼

(Chapter 10)

I hang the phone up and look over at Peeta. I feel like crying, but I hold the tears back. What happened to my best friend? Peeta is standing there wondering what he said. I can see in his eyes that he's worried.

"What did he say?" Peeta asks.

"That he wants to meet me, alone, to tell me about why he did it." I say dryly. I still can't think straight.

"Oh. Well you're not going to go, right?"

"I need to. I need to know what the heck he was thinking. I thought he was happy for us! He ruined our happiness and I don't want him to get away with it!"

"I understand, but you can't go by yourself. I'm not sure I can trust him. I know I said I did, but that was before this happened. What if he tries to hurt you?" he says concerned. Peeta is always thinking the worst about me. With Gale, I would've had him encouraging me to do things that aren't safe. Peeta on the other hand, barely let's me breathe without worrying I might get hurt. It's different to have someone constantly worried and protecting me. I kind of like it though. It makes me feel all the more loved. Peeta always can make me feel loved.

"Gale's not going to hurt me. Not anymore than he already has."

"He might try. Katniss, Sweetheart, I could never forgive myself for letting you go if something happens to you." he says as he looks into my eyes. I know he's serious.

"Why would he do something to me? Besides, I have to go. I need to get to the bottom of this. Do I need to ask for some sleep syrup?" I say, trying to joke. Peeta didn't find it too funny though.

"Katniss Everdeen don't you ever try something like that, again." he says with a straight face. Yeah, he didn't take it as a joke.

"I was teasing. I won't do that. But I won't just sit here and wait for some stupid interview to say that we can't get married because off something Gale did!" I say starting to yell. As soon as I realize I'm yelling, I feel my heart drop. I hate yelling at Peeta, or just being upset with him. But what Gale did is beyond hurting me, he hurt Peeta too. And I don't even get away with hurting Peeta. He doesn't deserve it, any of it. He is the most wonderful and sweetest man I know. Why must everyone hurt him so much? That's why I can't have children. If they're just like Peeta, then I couldn't stand it to watch them get hurt. Well, I couldn't stand it if anyone of my children got hurt. But I'm never having kids, so I don't have to worry about that.

"You really want to go don't you?" he asks.

"I don't want to go, but I need to. I'll be careful, I promise."

"Ok then. I'll let you go. I hope he doesn't try anything. And I'm coming with you at least half the way."

"Thank you. I'll be careful. You can come, and I'll talk to him by myself. Now let's get something to eat, I'm starved." I say trying to change the subject.

Peeta and I eat our breakfast and I can tell that Peeta is dreading this afternoon. I am too, but I can't let that stop me. Gale is not going to get away with this- even if he used to be my best friend. Before Peeta and I can finish eating all of our breakfast we hear a knock on the door. We both get up to answer it and we find that it's Cinna.

"I'm so sorry about what happened. I can't believe that President Coin would go that far. I knew she didn't like you, but to stop you from getting married…" Cinna says with sad eyes.

"It wasn't just Coin, it was Gale too." I say. I don't need to say my cousin, because Cinna knows the truth already.

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that."

"Well I'm going to talk with him this afternoon. I'm going to get to the bottom of this! There's no way they're going to get away with ruining our happiness. I just wish we could have a normal life."

"What's normal? You two will never have a normal life, but what's wrong with that? Normal is boring. You two get to have an exciting life! Just think of all the stories you'll be able to tell your children when they grow up! Think of all the lesson they can learn from you two!" Cinna says with excitement. He has a point. I bite my lip, though. Peeta and I will never have children. I guess we can just tell the stories to other children, or our nieces and nephews.

"Thanks Cinna. I just hope everything works out." Peeta says.

"I'm sure it will. Nobody gets away if they mess with one of you. Well I need to get going. I just wanted to see how you were taking the news. I'll see you when they're ready for your interview." Cinna says and turns to walk out the door. Peeta and I say good bye and go and sit on the couch. We stay there and talk just chit-chat. When it's finally time to go, Peeta takes my hand and we walk to the mansion.

When we get there, I start to panic. It reminds me of President Snow. I look around and my eyes see the flower beds that wraps around the mansion- white roses. My heart drops and I really start to panic. I stop dead in my tracts and start shaking. Peeta notices and starts to worry about me. He asks me what's wrong but I can't speak. All I can see and smell is the roses. Peeta follows my glance and his face falls. He knows what's wrong now. He quickly wraps me in a hug and covers my face. He's blocking my view. I silently thank him and take a deep breath. But instead of smelling the roses, I smell Peeta. He smells like bread and sugar. I take another breath in. Not only has he blocked my view of the roses, but he's blocked the smell. I smile to myself and feel so much better. I'm so glad that he came with me. I don't know what I'd do without him- now or ever. Peeta, while still holding me in his arms, begins to walk again. He unwraps his arms and holds my hand when we get in the doors. I look up at him and into his sea-blue eyes. I gave him a thankful smile and he smiles back. We stand in the main hallway and wait for Gale to show up. After about 5 minutes, we see him walk his way towards us. I feel Peeta's hand squeeze a little tighter and I look up at him. I look into his eyes and see he's uncomfortable. Not only that, but they're starting to get hazy. Oh no, not a flashback. Gale comes up with a stupid grin on his face and I throw a death glare at him. I quickly turn m attention back to Peeta, whose grip is getting tighter.

"One minute, Gale." I say dryly. "And don't follow." I say while I take Peeta into another room. I look around for anyone that might be in there, but there's no one. I look the door so no one will come in and see Peeta during a flashback. Peeta's grip is starting to hurt my hand, but I push that aside. I take his hand in my other and start to whisper to him. He's shut his eye tightly now and I know he's trying to fight the flashback. "I don't want to lose you, so I keep fighting" is the thought that runs through my head. He's fighting for me, and I need to fight for him. I can't lose him either.

"Peeta, it's not real. Whatever you're seeing, it's not real. I'm real, this is real. I love you, Peeta. I love you so much. We're engaged, remember? Come on Peeta, it's not real. You can fight this; you're strong. I love you, Peeta Mellark." I tell him, softly. His grip starts to loosen and I know he's winning this fight. I keep whispering "I love you" until he opens his eyes. I see the haze start to fade away and leave the beautiful blue eyes that I love. I smile at him and tell him I love him one more time. I wrap my arms around his neck and burry my head in his chest. He wraps his arms around me and tells me he's sorry. "No Peeta, don't be sorry. It's not your fault. It will never be you fault."

"Thank you for helping me. I love you too, Katniss." he says with a small smile. I give him one more hug and then walk him back out of the room. Gale is still standing where I left him and he looks upset. I don't care if I'm wasting his precious time.

"What was that? Did you have to go make-out or something?" he says with an annoyed face. This makes my blood boil.

"No I didn't. I needed to help Peeta with a-well he wasn't feeling well. I went in there to help him feel better."I tell him, angrily. I didn't want to say flashback in front of Peeta; I know how much he hates them. I know he will want me to keep this between me and him. I feel Peeta give me and gentle squeeze and a grateful smile. I look at Gale and can see he's not buying it. But I doubt he remembers what Peeta has to suffer through.

"Whatever. Are you done now? I believe you and I are scheduled to have a private conversation." he says emphasizing the word "private" as if I didn't know what that meant.

"'Scheduled'? So that's how I'm going to be treated. Glad to hear. And yes, I know. Let's get this over with. Peeta, I'll be right back." I say and give Peeta a peck on the lips. I do that for 3 reasons. One: because I know how much that will make Gale madder. Two: because I felt like I needed to give Peeta a kiss since he just had a flashback. And three: because I wanted to since, well, I love him. Peeta nods and looks for a seat while Gale takes me to the same room Peeta and I were just in. Gale goes to lock the door, but I tell him no. He rolls his eyes and walks away from the door. We both stand in the middle of the room and I wait for Gale to explain himself. He doesn't seem to want to be the first to start talking so I blurt out, rather hatefully, "Start explaining."

"I love you." he says. I just stare at him in disbelief.

"Yeah you've told me. And I told you that I love Peeta."

"I know what you said, but I don't believe you. I think you're still afraid that you have to marry Peeta. So I talked with President Coin and fixed that. She said that she isn't forcing you to marry him. And to make sure you don't, she made it where you can't marry him anyway, at least, not for a few years. But you and me, we can get married. I'm 20 years old now, you know. So according to the law, we can get married." he said with a look that said the thinks he's won. But he hasn't won. So he did this because he loves me?

"I wasn't lying when I told you I love Peeta. I wasn't lying when I said I chose Peeta. I know I can chose whomever I want to marry. I want to marry, Peeta, and I need to. We need each other. I know Peeta needs help and to be loved back. He's been hurt so much. And what does he do in return? He just keeps loving and caring. He keeps moving on and keeps fighting. Well it's my turn to move on and fight. I'm going to fight for him, just like he fights for me. I'm going to do my very best to repay him for all the love he's given me, even when I sure didn't deserve. I know that he will never stop loving me either. Have you ever stopped to realize what he's been through? He was brainwashed into thinking I was the enemy and what did he do? He fought it. He has fought through those thoughts and he still loves me. If it was me, I don't think I could've done it. But he did, and he did it for me. And what do you do to him? You hurt him once again. You people make me sick! He is the most caring person I have ever met, and all you people can do is find ways to hurt him even more! What's next? Do you plan on killing me and his family? What's the prize that you get out of hurting him? Because I can't think of anything worth the pain you make him go through. If I'm the prize, then you might as well give up. Because when you hurt him, you're hurting me. And there's no way that I will EVER fall in love with someone who does everything in their power to hurt someone as wonderful as Peeta." I say slowly and powerfully. Gale just stands there silently for a while.

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" he finally asks.

"What proof do you need? I've given you everything I can think of. How often do I say how much I love someone? How often do I willingly show affection to someone? Why would I fight so hard for someone that I don't love? You should know more than most that I hate when the Capital tries to use me. Why on earth would I continue to fake loving someone, when I knew that I didn't have to anymore? The answer to all of those should be easy for you. I chose to spend the rest of my life with him. I chose to love him unconditionally. I chose to help him in any way possible. I chose to do my best to give him all the happiness and love he deserves. Gale Hawthorne, I chose Peeta Mellark to be my husband-always." I tell him trying to remain calm. I look Gale in the eye, trying to read his face. But I don't know that man anymore. But I do know that I have convinced him. He looks crushed, but I don't care at the moment.

"I thought you never wanted to get married. Now you're telling me that you would wait two more years for some baker?"

"I didn't want to get married because I didn't know what love does to you. I didn't know that I loved Peeta. But I do know. And I will wait as long as it takes to marry him. Please, Gale, let us get married. You used to be my best friend; where'd that guy go? If you love me like you say you do, then let me be happy. That's what you do when you love someone; you try to make them happy. Don't you want me to be happy?" I almost beg him. He's silent for a long time. He just keeps looking at the floor like it's the most interesting thing in the world. Then he looks up and just shrugs. That means he's defeated. I release a breath I didn't even know I was holding.

"You can get married to Mellark if you want to. Just don't expect things to ever be the same as they used to between us. And I'm not talking to President Coin. If you love him so much, you can wait the stupid two years." he says almost mumbling. Then he turns and walks out the door. I follow and watch him disappear into a different room. I turn and look at Peeta who is sitting in a chair not far from me. I quickly walk up to him. He stands up and wraps me in a hug.

"He won't be bothering us again Peeta. We can get married in peace. But we still have to wait." I tell him.

"I told you I can wait, and I will. I'll always wait." he says with a smile.

"Do you want to know what all was said?" I ask wondering if he's curious.

"You don't need to tell me. I heard the whole thing. Well until the end, I didn't hear what he said at the end." he says with a small grin. Was he really listening in on the whole conversation? I guess he really was worried about me.

"Were you listening in on my private conversation" I say mocking Gale. He just chuckles.

"No I didn't have to. I was sitting in this chair the whole time. It's just, you two weren't exactly the quietest people in the world. You two may be able to walk and hunt quicker than anyone else I know, but when you're mad, the whole world knows." he says with another chuckle. I just roll my eyes at him. Then I think about what this means, and I start to blush. That means Peeta heard my speeches that were probably a joke to him. I'm not good with words like Peeta. "I have one thing I need to ask you about your conversation. Where did that all come from? I thought you weren't good with words!"

"I-what do you mean? That was nothing like you could do. I can talk a lot and loudly, but nothing as beautiful and convincing as what you could do."

"Are you kidding me? I was even convinced. I just fell in love with you ten times more just listening to you. Katniss Everdeen, you brought tears to my eyes to hear you say that about me. And you think you don't deserve me. Well you're right, you don't. You deserve even better." he tells me looking me straight in the eyes. I wonder if being in love with someone makes it where you can say the right thing when you need to. But I blush when he tells me I deserve better than him. If only he knew that there isn't anyone better than him.

"It's a shame that we'll never have kids; because they would be so blessed with a father like you." I say. Peeta's face is different than any I've ever seen. He looks like he's going to cry, but happy tears. He notices that I see his eyes water and he quickly looks away and dries them. I smile to myself. He's so gorgeous when he's happy like that.

"I, uh, think we should head back to the suite. I'm getting kind of hungry." he says trying to change the subject. I nod and we walk back to our suite.

We both had a small snack and then sat on the couch and just talked. After a while Peeta got his sketchbook out and started to draw. I like watching him draw. He gets so focused. I watch his hand skillfully turn the paper into a beautiful masterpiece. I watch his face. His eyes are carefully watching every stroke of the pencil. His eyebrows show how deep in thought he is. I chuckle to myself when I see his stick out to one side when he comes to a more difficult spot of the picture. I smile to myself when I see him smile at something he's accomplished. After a while he looks over at me and smiles. He closes the sketchbook and sets that and his pencil on the coffee table. He grabs my hand and just looks at me. His smile never leaves and his eyes finding mine. We just stay like that for a while, staring straight into each other's eyes. After what feels like an eternity, we hear the phone ring. Peeta groans slightly and I get up to answer it.

"Sweetheart, it me Haymitch." he says.

"Hey. What do you need?" I ask. Haymitch never calls, unless it's important. "If you're going to tell me that our wedding's been canceled, we know."

"Yeah I know you know. But this is about it. I have friends in high places, and you're going to want to hear this." he says, and I start to panic. What did Coin do this time?

~A/N~

Oh no! What have I done? I left you with a cliffhanger! Well, sorry but I just had too! Please forgive me! Actually, don't. You might take it back when I upload next... =) Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm cruel.

So anyway, what do you think besides the cliffhanger? I tried to make it not so OOC but...I don't know. I feel like they were at times. I'm like pretty opposite of Katniss on this love stuff so it gets kind of hard. And I really stink at adding drama into stories...I usually just kill someone off (That MIGHT be a hint...) lol. So I apologize for any Gale lovers/fans out there reading this... But I really don't like him. He was ok in the first book, but then he just got worst and worst and by Mockingjay, I pretty much hated him. Sure, he can hunt and he's cute. But really, that's all he does for me. But if you like him, I respect that. Just don't get mad at me... I'm not mad at you for liking him, don't get mad at me for hating him. Deal or not deal? Haha

Ok so review! And if you give me detailed reviews (like lovely Browniangel) then it will make me VERY happy and I will be motivated to update sooner! I know you want that... ;)

Thanks again for reading and putting up with me thus far! It means a lot to me! =)

~Richinlove