A/N: The Games will begin soon, hang in there. This is more of a placeholder, since I couldn't fit it anywhere else. After this chapter, updates will occur more slowly.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.

Feel the Earth Move

We got lucky today, because Effie walked in after me and Katniss were able to get dressed. We figured we wouldn't play hard to get, and waited for her in the living room, where she made it very clearly was gonna reprimand us.

Effie first yells, "Are you two completely insane?! You know that fighting with the other tributes is strictly forbidden."

I responded, "So you wanted me to let Cato jump me?"

Katniss, almost simultaneously responded, "You wanted me to let Marvel grope me?"

"That's what the peacekeepers are for. You realize your actions reactions reflect badly on all of us who are part of 12, not just you!"

Out of nowhere, I hear Cinna's voice, "They just want a good show. They made it clear that there probably will be." He walks in from the direction of the elevators, must have come up with Effie.

"How about it's just bad manners Cinna, how about that?"

Portia, who's with Cinna, interjects, "Calm down, Effie. What are they gonna do about it down there? That they haven't already done?"

Effie's left unable to find words at that. She simply winces and starts pacing around. As nice as she is, she can sometimes be a bit irrational.

In the meantime Cinna and Portia sit on either side of the two of us. But before they could say or do anything, Effie walks off saying, "Well it's about time." She walks right back with Haymitch casually striding behind her, "I hope you realize, we have a serious situation."

Not surprisingly, Haymitch doesn't say anything, but gives us a thumbs up and a gleeful smile. "Nice job sweethearts."

Effie at this point completely surrenders, and just collapses against an empty chair, holding her face.

"Now, don't hide anything, I know some of what happened, but I wanna know what actually happened."

Katniss immediately starts, "I was practicing at the archery station and pretending to struggle. I was really only trying to get a feel for the metal bow."

I'm looking at her with curiosity because I don't even know what happened.

"I aimed for spots outside the dummy. Apparently, Marvel, from 1, though it would be funny to try to do something. He saw that Gale wasn't with me, and he began to touch me, inappropriately."

I immediately see red, and my reaction is clearly visible even though I don't do anything. "Inappropriately? Euphemism of the year. Would assault be much?"

Katniss holds my hand, and looks at me in a comforting manner. "He wrapped one arm around my waist, his free hand traveling up my body, telling me how much fun it would be once he got his hands on me in the arena." She smiles a bit, "I showed him what would happen by simply swinging my foot to his nuts, uppercutting him by the chin, and then throwing him to the ground with the moves I learned in hand to hand."

Me and Haymitch say in unison, "Well deserved."

She finishes, "And to answer you Gale, that does qualify as an assault on me."

Before Haymitch has a chance to ask, I start with my half. "I was throwing knives, pretending to fail, same as her. Rue was with me, and she was the one who noticed what Marvel was doing." I notice that even Effie is looking and listening too. "It was a planned encounter, because the moment I started charging over to her, Cato came at me like a bear. He tried to get the drop on me, but it didn't work. It was satisfying to see him writhing on the ground trying to catch his breath after I threw him on his back."

Haymitch at this point is completely psychotically gleeful. "I can't believe this. Nobody does that to a career. Nobody. Especially twice. I absolutely love it."

I think I sort of kill the mood when I say, "Hope the gamemakers do too."

Haymitch proves me wrong, "Gale. You guys are fine. The gamemakers love it when they can see that a good show is upcoming, as do sponsors. And if you ask me, it looks like you fit what they think brings a good show."

Haymitch's words make me relax a little bit, knowing that our skirmishes with the careers aren't condemning us to fight solely on our own. I look at Effie, who seems a bit more relaxed at everything. "You alright Effie?"

"I've been better, but at least now I understand what actually happened. When words travel, they lose the truth."

Katniss asks her, "What do you mean?"

"When I heard about what happened, they said, outright, that you attacked the career boys. At least now I know that wasn't the case, that and you had very good reason for it."

Catnip and I flesh smiles at one another. Effie also seems to be a bit more receptive to the situation. She changed the topic, "We should discuss the interviews, which happen the night of the private sessions, two days from now."

Cinna explains, "The interviews are the final chance either of you will get to leave an impact on the audience and sponsors before the games begin."

Portia comes in, "We already have your outfits ready. Everyone's been referring to Katniss as the girl on fire, so your outfits are flame-themed," She glances and flashes a small smile, "and we added a little bonus for the fact that you're an item."

I would ask what that would be, but I have enough common sense that bonus meant surprise as well.

"And this will be the only time I condone undermining the other tributes," Effie says, much to our surprise, even Haymitch's. "What?"

I remark, "Effie. You are full of surprises."

She tilts her head, and flashes a teeth-showing humorous smile.

Haymitch begins explaining what the interviews consist of. "I don't think I have to spell it out, but you can guarantee that for Katniss, Caesar will mention your sister, and for both of you will probably bring up your relationship. Use that to your advantage, because sponsors, as I've said many times, will probably love the star-crossed lover of District 12."

I'm still by no means happy, at all with using our relationship as a tool, but I guess not harm will be done to anyone, not even us. Apparently my face betrays my thoughts, because Haymitch looks at me piteously.

Effie come see back in. "Technically, were not supposed to know what goes on in training. But word spreads about it pretty easily. Odds are you two will be asked about your scuffle with the careers. I have no clue how to help you answer to that."

Haymitch interjects, "I know a perfect way." He gives a slight pause. "Just be yourself in your answer. People often like it when people are themselves. I was for mine, and it worked out perfectly."

I'm too young to have seen it, but now I wanna watch his interview. Though, I'm not willing to see his plight, cause even if the moments are light, it doesn't eliminate the dark circumstances.

I'm alone with my thoughts for the first time on the roof. The conversation continued for what felt like hours, to the point where the sun was setting by the time we stopped when we ran out of things to talk about. I excused myself to go to the roof, I felt the need to contemplate things on my own. I'm still not pleased with using our relationship as a tool, it makes me feel that it defeats the purpose of having a meaningful relationship.

I start out by simply letting the thoughts come into my head, though it's really difficult for me, because I don't have an outsider to help me make sense of what I'm thinking. Maybe that's a good thing for me. Maybe it's better if I make sense of things myself instead of having someone do it for me. I thought too soon, because I feel a pair of soft, small hands wrap around me from behind.

"Hey, Catnip."

"Wanna talk?"

"Yeah, I kinda need to."

She pulls me with her and we sit under one of the trees, "What's on your mind?"

"I'm in pain. To say the least." Understatement of the year. "Particularly because I don't like using our relationship as a tool."

"Gale, look at me." She grabs me by my face, and forces me to look her in the eyes. "No matter what happens, nothing will ever change what we have."

"Are we both sure about that?" She gives me a semi-conceding look. "And it's not just about our relationship as a tool, I kinda lied. It's more. That I don't want, what happens in the next two week to change us."

Katniss fully concedes to my logic, knowing that I'm right about that being a possibility. "You mean that, if one of us makes it out alive. You want us, to be the people we were. You don't want either of us to lose ourselves."

"Precisely, Catnip."

She stands up, "I can't tell you that what happens in the next two weeks will or won't change us. But you know what I can tell you?"

I look at her, and I shake my head, wondering what she's getting at.

"Dinner's ready."

I lightly laugh, "Cute subject change. You should do it more often." I get up and follow her downstairs.

Dinner is uneventful and quiet, until Effie decides to confess something to us. "I have something I want to tell you two."

With the sudden break in silence, we quickly divert our attention to her.

"My original opinion of 12, I'm sure you know, was extremely poor. But…after seeing you two at the reaping, and these last few days, I realize how wrong I was."

She's right, most of us had enough common sense to know her probable opinion of us from 12.

"I don't think any other district could've gotten to me like you have. My promises, may mean little, but I swear to stay with 12, and help them become as strong as you for the rest of my life."

I feel moved once again at Effie's words, she's such a sweet person. Most Capitol citizens are rather stuck up, but she's different. "Effie, I think I can say the same thing about you. I used to think of the Capitol citizens as dim witted, unable to see bigger pictures. You proved me wrong about that."

Katniss comes in, "Me too."

Haymitch says, "Me three."

We share a laugh at Haymitch's cute spot of humor. Effie's ultimate goal is to lighten the atmosphere when people are down, and she does so in the ways she knows best. This time it works well, and the last time worked well too. It's still a little somber, but at least now a little lighter than it was beforehand.

With the conversation over, we simply finish our dinner, before retreating to Katniss's room, where she began removing layers of my clothing as well as her own, before she pulled me into the shower. The fire between us here is much more simmering than it is engulfing. She pulls my body to the front of hers. My hand travels to her signature braid, where I slowly loosen my handiwork, letting the soaked gorgeous silky curtain fall behind her, like that of a siren. She pulls my face down to hers, forcing us to breathe the same air, before I lock my lips with hers. I reach behind her to change the spray to our favorite, lavender-scented soap spray. The scent reminds me of a meadow, a flower garden. It makes us feel as if we're laying in a clearing in the woods, with a carpet of flowers around us. The warmth between us feels like that of the sun. The scent makes us feel as if we're in a personal paradise, where we can have a small but perfect piece of our forever.

We get out of the shower, the water doing nothing to cool either of us. We don't bother with a dryer or a towel, I simply carry Katniss to her bed, collapsing with her on her back. I break away enough to tell her I love her, a confession she reciprocates. Right after our shared proclamation, I enter in full force. And the rest of the night is lost between us.

Song credit: Skyfall by Adele