I don't own The Hunger Games. Whew! I don't really have a whole lot to say at this point other than I hope you are all enjoying (or still enjoying) this story, and where I am taking it. I am really trying not to get them into an M rated relationship yet, but last chapter was close. I had a hard time stopping them! So, let's fast forward a week and a half or so. Also, just as a side note, if this chapter doesn't make sense, make sure you have checked out the chapter or two before it! Sometimes I think with the frequent updates, it may throw some things out of whack.

Katniss:

I wake up slowly, noticing Peeta has already slipped out of bed. He is almost always up before me, working on something he can't tell me yet, but promises he will soon. I know Jo will be coming soon, and we have already moved into our new home. She can choose which house she would like to be in when she comes, Peeta's or mine.

Peeta has left me some cheese buns that he has made for breakfast, and I make myself a cup of tea. My life has changed so drastically, even over the last week and a half. Now that we officially live together, there is no escaping the fact that I am absolutely committed in this relationship and I couldn't be happier. We even had Haymitch and Sae over for a housewarming celebration, and it didn't end in Haymitch vomiting.

I have a meeting later with the Education council. I would like to start an afternoon class for interested children for survival classes. I know I would be able to teach about edible plants that can be found in District 12, how to navigate through the woods and how to find sources of water. Growing up Seam, going through 2 Games, and my hunting skills have given me enough qualifications. I spoke with Darlene's Mother about it and she seemed to also think it was a good idea. Just because the Games didn't exist anymore doesn't mean that survival skills shouldn't be taught. You never know when you will need them, a harsh lesson I learned years ago.

It hasn't been the easiest transition letting my guard down, but I have been working really hard. Peeta seems so much happier now, and when I think about it, so am I. I have felt moments where I wanted to put it up, but internally argued with myself to put it down. I know it isn't just me, either. Sometimes I notice Peeta gripping a chair, knuckles turning white, expression lost. I know in those moments, to leave him alone and let him work through it. Oh, what a complicated pair we are.

I run back upstairs to shower and get dressed for the day. I didn't really have much to do before my afternoon meeting, so I decided to continue unpacking and setting up the home. We have done as much as we could, but there always seems to be an overlooked box. This time it is Peeta's things, and as I start to go through them I hear a knock.

I look at the clock and it is just slightly after 9 in the morning, so I know it isn't Haymitch. I wonder if it is Sae, coming over for a visit, or to see if she could help. She has done that a few times in the past week. I jog over to the door and open it and stop dead, face dropping.

"Hey, Catnip." Said a very familiar voice.

"Gale." I say, almost in shock. I couldn't believe he was here, in 12. Peeta did mention to me that Gale had moved to 2 to work with the military, and I certainly didn't expect him at my doorstep.

"So are you going to invite me in?" he asks me, smiling the smile that I knew so well. My heart started beating hard, not because of feelings, but because our last meeting didn't go very well, and I just wasn't sure what to say.

"Oh, yes, of course. Sorry." I croak out while moving out of the way so he could enter. "How long are you here for?" I ask. "I can set up on of the other houses if you need." I tell him. I am nervous, though I can't quite figure out why.

"Oh, no, I am not staying overnight. I took a day leave to come here and see you. I just wanted to see you and talk. I got your letter; your Mother sent it over to me in 2." He looked out of place in the kitchen, and kept looking around at the kitchen and into the living room.

"Would you like a cup of tea? A cheese bun?" I ask, hoping to break the awkward feeling in the house. I wished Peeta was here; he was so good at these things.

"Tea would be great, thanks." He replied.

I put together the mug and made the tea, also making myself another cup.

"You were right, Catnip. 12 looks a lot better now than when I last saw it." He remarked. He looked just like I remembered, somehow like he was magically going to change into something else, or someone else.

"Yeah, there is a lot going on here. It's nice to see and be a part of it." I keep drinking my tea so my mouth is occupied.

"Listen, I was really happy you wrote me. I wanted to reach out a lot, but wasn't sure how receptive you would be to hearing from me. I know you were angry at me, and I was angry at me, so thank you for letting me know you were okay." He started to say. It was that moment that I realized I was sitting across from Gale, my best friend, and not a stranger. I looked into his eyes, and smiled, and told him to stand up.

When he did, I ran into him, hugging him close. He still smelled like Gale, and I can't imagine that would change no matter which district he was in. "Shut up, Gale. Let's just let it go. It's over, and we both had roles that we played, and did questionable things. Just tell me you forgive me for being a jerk, and I will forgive you for being a jerk."

He laughed and hugged me back, picking me up into the air. He started to tell me about life in District 2, what he was doing, his family relocating with him. He was heading up the training for those who wanted to join the Panem military, but not like the old peacekeepers, but true keepers of the peace.

"You sound really happy, Gale. I am so happy for you." I told him earnestly.

"Speaking of happy, let's talk about you and Mellark. So, living together now? Before a toasting? What would the town think?" he jokingly said.

"Well, since most of the country thinks we had a toasting anyways, I guess that doesn't matter." I tell him. "It seemed like a natural progression. We pretty much were always at each other's houses anyways."

"You know, there doesn't have to always be a practical reason. You could just want to live with him." He laughed at me. "Katniss Everdeen, always practical."

"I did just want to live with him," I admitted, "It's funny to think about, how the entire country thought they were watching this relationship progress, and to be honest, it all happened after the cameras were off."

"I knew for a long time that you both were going to end up together, even if you didn't want to admit it. I can't lie to you, I was jealous, for a bit. I tried, Katniss, I tried to make you need me, but it really wasn't meant to be with us."

"Oh, I think of it differently now. I have always needed you too, Gale. You were always someone I needed. You were my first, and longest friend. My feelings were all over the place for a long time, and I am really sorry if I ever hurt you." I forced myself to look at him when I apologized, he deserved that from me.

"Your feelings were normal feelings, Catnip. I can't even imagine what you must have went through trying to keep everyone safe when it seemed like the entire world was trying to kill you. I'm not jealous, not anymore. Seeing you, seeing how happy you are; you made the right choice I think for both of us. When I made my decision to move to 2, it was after I knew Peeta was coming back for you, which is exactly what you both needed. I won't say I didn't love you, but I think now it was more of a territorial thing. We were all each other had for so long, and it was hard to see someone else with you."

I understood exactly what he meant. Didn't I get jealous when people implied Madge may have had feelings for Gale, or when I made up an imaginary girlfriend for him? I was just as possessive of Gale; he just had to watch someone else come in while I never had to. I took his hand in mine and told him I understood exactly what he meant. We sat talking about everything; stories from our times together, stories about people in the Capitol. I made him tell me about Effie, and how she was now running a TV studio.

It must have been hours, we had lost track of time when we heard the door open. Peeta came in, bags full of things for dinner tonight, placing them on the counter. He turned around and that's when he noticed Gale, who had stood up when the door opened.

"Hey, Peeta. I stopped in to say hi to Catnip. I hope you don't mind." He said, looking down. I didn't even think to call Peeta to tell him that Gale was here, and I really hoped this wouldn't set him off into an episode. I stood up and went to Peeta, giving him a hug and a quick kiss, so he would know that Gale knew.

Peeta walked over to Gale and didn't extend his hand. Instead, he gave Gale a hug, thanking him for coming and inviting him to stay for dinner. "I promise, I'll cook it." He says to Gale, giving me a wink.

Gale says he can stay, that his hovercraft is set to leave for 8 PM. "You know how strict they are, Soldiers Everdeen and Mellark." He says, a laugh in his voice.

As we eat and talk, I watch the easy interaction between the three of us. It was nice, having all of us at the same table, in harmony. No more confusion, doubts, hearts on the line. We were all where we should be, and I truly felt I had my best friend back. Peeta was telling Gale how wonderful he found the woods, and that he had been really enjoying seeing parts of 12 that he didn't have access to before. They talked easily, like they had been friends for a long time, and it made me happy. Without all of the confusion about feelings, and rebellion, I think they were finding that they really could be friends. When it came time for Gale to go, Peeta and I walked him to the door. He gave me a long hug, holding me close.

"This isn't goodbye, Catnip. Let's just say that I'll see you later. I will expect a wedding invitation, Soldier Everdeen." I blush when he says this and give him a kiss on the cheek.

He also gives Peeta a hug, though not as long. "I'm glad to see you both happy. Take care of my best friend, Mellark."

"I always will, Gale." He answers him as Gale walks out the door.

After Gale left, we cleaned up, and then I remembered that I had forgotten my appointment. I started to worry and Peeta calmed me down, reminding me that life sometimes happens, and appointments can be rescheduled. We head upstairs to bed after we are done.

"So, what brought Gale around? I have to admit I was a bit surprised to see him at the door." Peeta asks me. I notice there is no jealousy in his voice, no concern.

"Oh, I am sure not as surprised as I was. I had written him a couple of weeks ago and I guess he decided to reply in person." I tell Peeta.

He turns to face me. "You wrote him?"

"I took some time and thought about what you said that day in the woods. You know, after I had my tantrum. I realized you were right, and that I wasn't going to be able to move on unless I forgave him, and myself. I told him that life was different, but good, and that I had found happiness with you. I wished him the best, and I thought, or hoped, I would at least get a letter back."

He looks at me for a long time before a smile comes over his face. "I'm really proud of you, Katniss. I am sure it was hard for you to do that, and you did it. You never cease to amaze me with your strength."

I kiss him on the nose, then on the lips before turning over for sleep. "I couldn't do it without you by my side."

"So, what did Gale say that made you blush when he was leaving?" Peeta asked me.

"He told me he expected a wedding invitation." I answered still not turning around. I wasn't going to have that conversation with Peeta yet, and I knew he knew that. Marriage was something that still scared me a little, and not because of the commitment, but mainly because marriage meant children. I felt him kiss my shoulder, lightly, before turning over himself.

"Goodnight, Soldier Everdeen. I love you."

"Goodnight, Soldier Mellark. I love you too."

"Day off tomorrow?" he asks me sleepily. I know what this means; that he wants us to spend the day together.

"Absolutely." I say back, then wait to listen for the sounds of his breathing telling me he is asleep. I laid awake a little longer, thinking of the day, and of the parting words. I guess it made sense that people would expect an engagement announcement soon, and I could understand that. Peeta has helped me face fears before, and I was certain that he would be able to help me with this one as well.

Oh, Gale, I'm so glad you came in and peace was had. I think Katniss and Peeta both needed it, and it will help make the next chapters easier. I didn't want to throw in another love triangle; I think there were too many clues in the books that Gale was never really a contender for that spot, so it was nice to see him as just a best friend again. I will see you all soon!