I don't own The Hunger Games

I got to say those who said they'd stop reading amused me. You're unbelievable but hilarious. I mean when I realized Finnick died I wuz like

"What oh Damn what the heck why what"

But okay you funnies… okay back to the poker face.

I don't have much to say

There's nothing in this name

Sorry to disappoint again

Nobody pines for the listener

A thrill I've failed to deliver…

It was silent.

Katniss had cried herself to sleep.

Now she lay on the floor, with her bandaged hands clutched to her chest. Everyone had found sleep. It was celestially quiet. Katniss's hair was stuck to her face, which had dried tear stains on it. There was still a sheen of sweat on her forehead. Every few minutes or so she would tremble, yelp, or release a forceful breath.

She had fallen asleep minutes ago, after several hours of grieving over Peeta. Gale fell asleep leaning against the doorframe, so he was sleeping sitting up. It was 4:13 A.M.

The silence was broken when Katniss woke up from her nightmare, releasing a single cry. Her hands quickly extended to the side, seeking Peeta's body. Her grey eyes were fixated on the dark ceiling. She breathed quickly and felt her eyes get misty. Her eyes closed and she exhaled, and felt teardrops slide down to her ears. When her eyes closed, a certain, special memory flooded her mind.

A memory that only she and Peeta had knowledge of.

One that brought them closer together as a couple.

She felt like she could still feel Peeta's lips on her hers, on her neck, on every inch of her skin, making her feel… pleasure. But she knew that he wasn't there. She wouldn't feel his careful fingers skimming the soft skin on the small of her back, on her thighs, where he always liked to touch her - without being fully sexual. The feeling was only light and gentle; she knew she couldn't pull him closer, because he was gone.

One of Katniss' trembling hands skimmed her uniform up to her breast pocket. She took out the token of the boy with the bread. Her fingertips held the dark pearl and Katniss observed it in the dark room. She closed her eyes and held the pearl against her chest with two hands. Katniss wiped her nose with her sleeve and then hesitantly held the pearl to her lips. She pressed her lips against it and formed her lips to make it appear like she was giving it a kiss. Like she was planting a soft kiss on Peeta's lips.

She could feel one of his hands on her waist, and the other cupping her cheek. She wanted to feel his real lips fitting against hers, not just a round pearl.

But this was as close as she could get to him.

Katniss felt tears build up in her eyes. She looked at Gale who was sleeping peacefully. She felt lonely. She wanted someone to speak to. Wiping away new teardrops, Katniss crawled towards him. When she was about a meter away from him Katniss stopped and observed him. She tilted her head and watched him. Thoughts ran through her mind and she started to get confused with her own beliefs.

Gale woke up as if he sensed her presence. He looked at his surroundings and jumped a little when he saw Katniss's silver eyes glaring at him. "Are you okay?" He asked uncertainly.

Katniss shrugged. Her eyes started to fill with misery and loss. It was as if they were going to stay that way forever now. Peeta's death had changed her, inside and out. She was no longer the Katniss Gale hunted with for years, not the same Katniss he'd fallen in love with.
"Can you…" She started.

"Gale… can you… stay with me?"

Gale nodded. "Yeah… sure. I'll keep you company. If that's what you want."

"It is what I want." She nodded and moved closer."Do you miss your family?" She asked.

"Katniss, of course I miss my family." He replied firmly. "As much as you." A single tear fell from Katniss's cheek and fell on the dirty black leather of her boot. She sniffled and wiped the teardrop off the boot. The substance cleaned a patch of the dirt off the leather. Her eyes stung from the crying. With the pale light coming from outside, Gale could see her eyes, nose and mouth were all red. Her eyes and her mouth were puffy from all the mourning.

"I'm sorry, Katniss." She looked up to meet his superior grey eyes. She distressed and muddled.
"About what?" She questioned innocently.

"Peeta."
Katniss shook her head. "Don't be." Don't speak of him." In her last words he heard tears coming in.
"But he sacrificed himself to save you," Katniss continued shaking her head at his words.

"Stop." She interrupted. "I…" Her brow furrowed. "Never mind."

Her bottom lip stuck out like it always did when she was upset. They didn't speak for 10 minutes. He watched her. Katniss looked around the furnace room and then down at the cold cement floor. She tucked her knees under her chin. She started to shiver and rock herself back and forth. Gale stood up and left the place he was sitting.

Katniss looked up at where he was sitting. Where did you go? She felt depressed again. Why had he left?
A few seconds passed before Gale came back to his spot with two fur blankets in hand. He handed one to Katniss and she thanked him quietly. She wrapped herself with the pelt and felt her body grow warm. She sighed in relief. But still, she needed something.

"I can't be the Mockingjay." She burst out. Her sight got blurry, her brow furrowed and her lip quivered. "Not anymore." She whined.
"The war is nearly over, Catnip. You can do this, we're almost at the end. And you're strong. I believe in you."

Katniss felt anxiety bubble in her stomach. She wanted her medication. Except that she didn't have it. Her anxiety caused her to shiver and grow cold. The uncomfortable sensation in her belly turned into abdominal pain. She opened her mouth to speak. Her lips were wet with her saliva.

"Gale?" She wiped her tears away.

She wanted it. And she wanted it bad. She needed to feel okay; because she hadn't for the past 5 hours since the mutts appeared. "I'm still cold." She whimpered. Before Gale could get up and fetch her another blanket, she added more.

"Can you hold me?"

She kept her gaze down, too afraid to look at his. She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for an answer. She heard the sound of rustling. "Yes."

Katniss then faced him. Grey eyes staring at grey eyes; unsure and surprised. Katniss stood up and Gale held his arms out slightly. Katniss at down in his lap but kept her arms at her own chest. Her head slowly lowered itself to Gale's chest. He watched as her raven haired head pressed against his jacket.

Katniss breathed in his scent. He smelt faintly of blood and sweat, but not enough that it became displeasing. She kept her eyes open and felt Gale's arms wrap around her shoulders. She could feel the difference between Gale's arms and Peeta's. Yes, both pairs were warm and strong, but Peeta's felt stable and more welcoming. Gale could feel Katniss snuggling her body closer, and slowly rubbing her cheek against his chest, trying to find a comfortable position.

He wanted to kiss her.

He wanted to kiss the crown of her head, press his nose into her hair near her face, and run his fingers through the soft dark waves.

"Am I going to be okay?"

"Yeah. You'll be okay."
"I mean my wrists. Won't I get…? Tetanus? Because it was metal, what I cut my wrist on."

"You'll be okay. You'll be okay, I promise."
"I'm scared. What if I'm not okay?"
She didn't sound like herself.

"Nothing will happen to you. You're going to be just fine. Now just go to sleep, okay? Everything's fine."

They closed their eyes.

He was caught off guard because he realized he was facing Katniss's face. She had turned around to face him. She sat on her knees.

"What is it now?" He sighed. "Can't you just go to sleep? Are you still cold? He tried to sound comforting. Katniss shook her head,
"I'm okay."
"Then what is it?"
"Nothing." And she went back to her old position. Only this time she put her hands around his neck. "Is this okay?"

Gale responded with a 'yeah'. He pulled her closer and aloud his hands to wander and skim her sides to her hips. "Is this okay?"

"Yes." He started to run his hand along her head, petting her. He felt a bump on the back of her head and he remembered her landing on her back from the explosion a day prior.

She could have anything. Tetanus. A concussion.

But she seemed okay. Please not Tetanus. He thought. She has to be okay.

Gale had closed his eyes for 7 minutes when he felt Katniss stir and shift on his lap again. His eyes opened to see her.

"Catnip." He grumbled. He was almost asleep. "Katniss, please. Go to sleep. Or just go, okay?" He slowly started to push her away gently. "I know you're in emotional pain, but I want to sleep."

"So do I. But I can't. Please…Stay with me." Gale looked at her with a sad look.

He didn't want to see her like this anymore, with sadness covering her dark-ringed eyes like a blanket. It was driving him mad, plus he just wanted to see the old Katniss again. Strong, brave…

They looked at each other's eyes for a minute. After a few minutes, Katniss noticed she was sitting criss-crossed in between his legs. Her hands were on his chest and his hands were on her waist.

Gale was taken aback he and Katniss's days before the Quell when he felt her lips softly press onto his.

She kissed me.

Katniss felt his soft lips against hers and had almost lost herself completely. This was what she needed.

A kiss.

Lips pressed against hers.

They pulled away from each other and watched each other's expression. Katniss tilted her head slightly.

Then she kissed him again, but a bit harder.

He didn't kiss back.

"Kiss me." She begged. He pulled Katniss away from himself.
"Katniss," He sounded like he was warning her. "Are you listening to yourself?"
"Gale." She put her hand on the back of his neck, bringing him closer. She closed her eyes for another kiss. He pulled back. "What are you doing?"
"I just need to forget about things for a while."

Gale eyed her. "You're not mine." He said. "You love Peeta. Not me."
"Peeta? I thought I said we wouldn't speak about him. He's dead. Therefore I don't belong to him. He doesn't belong to me. It'd be wrong to say I still love him." She sounded pleased. She sounded happy. What was wrong with her?

"I think I was wrong. You're getting Tetanus."

"Well you don't know what Tetanus is, Gale. I would be having spasms now." She said calmly.

Concussion. She's not being herself at all. "Kiss me." She whispered.

She was gone. The Katniss he once knew was gone. Who knew taking the boy - the blonde merchant boy- from her would change her. She was gone.

"I know you love me," Her eyes looked dreamy. "I know you want to kiss me. Peeta's gone, so it's nothing bad if you kiss me."

He took her words into hand.

She was right.

It wasn't okay with either him or Peeta to have Katniss be kissing them both. But now Peeta wasn't coming back. Was he?
Gale felt his heart stop for a few seconds when he felt Katniss move.

He felt her move so now she straddled his hips.

"Katniss," He breathed.

He wasn't sure how he felt anymore. He wanted to kiss her, but it felt wrong.

But it was true.

She was basically all his now. He could do whatever he wanted. They could do whatever they wanted.

Gale cupped her face and kissed her. Katniss tilted her head. She felt better. She just needed to feel loved.

Katniss kept her eyes sealed shut because secretly, she wanted it to be Peeta kissing her lips. She felt Gale's tongue outline her bottom lip.

Hesitantly, she opened her mouth and let his tongue touch hers.

The first time Katniss had felt his tongue slide into her mouth, the time was near the Quell. She pulled back quickly and looked uncertain about what was supposed to be her first passionate kiss.

But now she allowed it.

Because she needed it. But she felt the difference between Gale and her Peeta. When his tongue stroked the roof of her mouth she pulled away and looked between their bodies.

"More…?" She whispered. Gale gave her a questioned look. "Like… this."

Gale couldn't explain how he felt now.

To have Katniss slowly discard what she was wearing over her torso in front of him.

He watched as she unzipped her jacket. He wanted to ask so many questions. He still didn't understand. "Katniss-"

"Ssh. Let me do this. I know what I'm doing." Her silver eyes pierced his soul. He could see nothing but lust in her eyes.

Not a hint of fear.

Gale cautiously placed his hands on her ribs. Katniss rested her hands on his collarbones so her elbows touched his chest. She let her fingers slide under the hem of her shirt.

"Katniss, no." He said in a loud whisper. "You're…"

"What?"

"You're pregnant."

"Not anymore."
"Katniss, do you know that as a fact?"

"I'm assuming. It's okay. Even if I still am it doesn't matter… it won't do any damage." Gale then let her be.

He watched in awe as she slipped her shirt over her head.

She was beautiful.

Covered in scars… but he still thought she was beautiful. Gale started to do the same. When his shirt was off, Katniss looked down at his torso and ran her hands along his skin.

Gale watched her and then laid her down on one of the fur blankets. She gasped.

Gale started to kiss her passionately. He ran his lips along her neck and started to kiss her collarbones. She closed her eyes and moaned, imagining it was Peeta. She place her hands on his broad shoulders and felt him climb back up her body.

And whilst I watch in silence

You're starting forest fires

You start them just to feel the heat

He let one of his fingers glide under one of her bra straps. He started to pull the strap down. That's when she felt a twinge in her stomach. Her eyes widened.

"Wait!" She yelped.

"What is it?" He whispered hoarsely.

The lust in her eyes was gone. She was scared. "Gale," She started to breathe heavily. "Get off of me!" She grabbed her shirt and covered her chest and bare stomach with it. Katniss wriggled and kicked. Tears built up in her eyes as Gale held her down. She begged for him to let her go. "I don't want you! I can't! Gale! Please! Let me go!" She released a yelp when he held her legs down with his. He held her wrists above her head. She squirmed and squeaked. "I can't do this, let me go!" It was as if they both had exchanged moods. Her eyes looked down and saw the sign. He wanted her now, and badly. But she didn't want him. Her eyes were looking into his in alarm and misery. She begged and started to cry. "Don't hurt me. Just let me go." Gale let go of her wrists with one hand and trailed it along her stomach. He felt her skin twitch under his fingertip. He could see her breathing fast.

"Catnip,"
"Don't call me that! Gale, get off of me!"

"We have to finish what you started."
His words shocked her and she started to panic.

"No…" She whispered in fear. Gale was able to reach the door with his foot. He closed it so he could barely see the glint of tears in her eyes.

"Be good." He hissed in her ear. She whimpered and begged more at every word he said, pleading for him to stop and let her go. His touch froze her and he released her wrists. Katniss laid in her spot and felt his hands pull her pants down. "Please don't do this." She cried. She was left with only her underwear on. He kissed her hard and she tried to pull away. But every time she tried to get up, he would pull her down, and pin her to the ground, making her breathing difficult with his weight on her. He stripped her completely. So she was nude beneath him The feeling of his bare chest on hers scared her. His hand went where it wanted. Her breasts. Between her legs. His fingers would move between her legs and she would stare at him, shocked. He forced two fingers inside of her and Katniss gasped. She didn't like this. Peeta never did that. This was painful. Gale's lips hovered over her breasts and her lips and her neck. Katniss kept her eyes shut as his lips moved along her skin. Her eyes shot open when she heard him fumbling with his belt.

The stranger, his sorrow

Must be fault of my own

He made their bodies aligned. The fear in Katniss's eyes was growing.

She was sweating and begging.

And soon she was crying from pain.