FINALLY! I apologize once again for the extremely long wait! It's summer break for me and I now have free time, so expect more frequent updates! I have so many ideas bouncing around in my head and can't wait to get to writing. I hope you enjoy! Please feel free to let me know what you think :) :)

This is my first shot at a FanFiction. I DO NOT own the Hunger Games Series. Some lines taken directly from Suzanne Collins' books.

I haven't read many FanFictions either so any theme resemblance to other Hunger Games FanFiction is entirely coincidental.

Chapter 25:

As the crowd breaks up Hazelle rushes up onto the platform to hug her son with tears streaming down her cheeks and Gale sags in relief in his mother's embrace. Finally he lets his wall fall; he has earned it after all he has been through. When his younger siblings launch themselves into his arms, his features change again, soften, and for those few moments it looked like the old Gale had returned. The Gale who enjoyed sitting in the Meadow with only me and his thoughts, who would do anything for those he loves, and the one who had only ever killed animals to feed his family. Who knows if that Gale will ever truly return? It is unlikely, but because of this fleeting moment I am hopeful.

Rory, Vick and Posy have surrounded him and I can tell they are all talking at once vying for his attention. It's almost surreal to see Rory and Gale standing side by side; to think that one of them could be gone and completely erased from our lives. I actually get chills- I don't even want to know what that life would be like.

After a few minutes Hazelle leans over and says something to Gale. He first gives her a look that I can't interpret then turns his head and automatically locates us. Prim jumps up and down waving, while the rest of us wait patiently. He smiles and in that moment all I want to do is rush towards him and hug him! But I know I can`t. My feet stay firmly rooted in place. I can however feel the smile stretch across my face, and I hope he understands my reservations.

The next thing I know he has jumped off the platform and in only a few steps is standing in front of me with a similar, all encompassing smile. He instinctively reaches to hug me but stops himself. The cameras are still on him so he must be cautious of everything he does. We all have to.

He ruffles Prim's hair instead.

"So I see you kept up your part of our pact," he suddenly says to me- with the smile still on his face.

I give a small huff of a laugh, "So did you."

I then place my hand on his forearm. Partly because I need to know that he is actually real and not just a figment of my imagination, and partly because I need to show him some sort of affection; just enough to prove to the cameras we have nothing to hide and that we are only friends, "Welcome home Gale."

When I step back ever so slightly, I graze shoulders with Peeta.

Gale eyes him, and I can instantly feel the atmosphere grow tense. "Thanks Katniss. It's good to be back."

Hearing the name Katniss coming from him stings a bit. He sounds detached when he says it. I can no longer be Catnip to him; at least not for a long while.

Peeta steps forward extending his hand, paired with one of his smiles. Either he doesn't notice the tension or he is choosing to ignore it. They shake hands but neither says anything. No introductions are necessary. Peeta certainly knows who Gale is, and Gale no doubt has figured out who this blond haired boy is. Well it had to happen; my two worlds have collided. As I suspected, the two of them are not going to co-exist well in my life, no matter how much I wish they would.

"Gale!" With that Thom pushes by and the two friends thump each other on the back.

While Gale is distracted, Madge leaves her father's side and unexpectedly throws her arms around me. I awkwardly pat her shoulder. I'm taken aback by this affectionate hug because we are not really those kinds of friends.

"Thank you so much Katniss."

"Thank you?" I question.

"For collecting the sponsor money, to help us in the arena." Haymitch must have told her.

I protest; uncomfortable with her thanks, "Well it wasn't just me. It was the whole District. I really didn't do anything Madge..."

Madge gives me a look that says she doesn't buy it, "Either way...thank you."

I force a tight smile, "You're welcome. I'm just glad you made it home." That at least wasn't a lie. I was extremely glad another young person from District 12 wasn't killed in the Games. And ever since the reaping I've felt somewhat guilty- I'll never be able to get that pleading look she gave me out of my head. Yet the idea of her and Gale together still bothers me. I'm not angry with her, but I don't really know where to go from here for there has definitely been a shift in our relationship.

"I know. I can hardly believe it. What are the odds?"

The odds were near impossible and came at a great cost. The image of the District in an uproar when the rule was revoked and the gravity of it all comes flooding back. If only she knew; I doubt Haymitch has told her much. Protecting her from this reality is probably best. Madge is so good and innocent, that the less she knows the less she can be hurt by it.

"I guess the odds really were in your favour after all." This is all I can think to say that would be appropriate given the situation.

Before she can respond Effie's heals can be heard clicking as she cautiously makes her way down the stairs. Her brightly coloured hair piled high, with outrageous make-up painted on with her lips looking puckered as if she just tasted something sour. The crowd grouped immediately around the victors parts to let her pass, but not without gawking at her get-up.

"Come come now everyone," she says in her high Capitol accent, clapping her hands. "Time to go, we must stay on schedule." She gives a little flourish with her gloved right hand.

Must everything be so theatrical with the Capitol?

"Oh calm down Effie." Haymitch appears out of nowhere, planting himself right in her path, "You're in District 12 now. Here in the poorest district of Panem, we don't concern ourselves too much with 'Capitol time'."

"Well maybe you should start. Maybe then things will begin to be more efficient around here!"

Haymitch rolls his eyes, "They're not going to start the celebrations without these two. So just calm down and, I don't know, go find me a drink or something..."

Effie squeaks a noise of indignation, and turns away in a huff. She claps her hands again and calls for Gale and Madge. Haymitch doesn't seem fazed or sorry at all.

Madge immediately goes over and takes Gale by the hand, as he takes one last sweeping glance around at all of us. I smile at him, and make the face we use to do to mock this high strung Capitol escort. He doesn't react; either that or he didn't notice. Regardless, I'm disappointed.

Now that they have been swept off by Effie to get ready for the victory celebration their obligations as victors have officially begun. Tonight will be yet another interview, only now they are home and that's a whole new dynamic to be exploited.

No sooner are they inside the Justice Building, then Haymitch abruptly turns to me.

"So this is the infamous Katniss Everdeen."

"Haymitch." It's strange to be talking to him face to face and I'm wary of what he may say or do.

He looks me over, as if sizing me up. Trying to match a face to the voice he has heard so much over the last few weeks. A bit of recognition dawns in his eyes. Haymitch then mumbles something like, "Not much to look at" and "Seems like you've got some fight in you." A little louder he says directly to me, "I've seen you around the Hob before- your father, he was one of those who was killed in that mine explosions a few years back. Good guy he was."

I don't know what to be more stunned at. His comments about me or the fact that he knows who my father was.

Placing one hand on my shoulder, Haymitch leans in to whisper in my ear, "So far so good Sweetheart." He glances around quickly. "We'll talk later."

And before I have the chance to say anything, he has staggered off. Typical. I have so many questions for him about what is going on and how that is going to affect me and Gale, our families, Peeta and the whole District.

Peeta, who had been over with my family, walks up, "What did Haymitch want?"

I watch Haymitch's retreating figure, "Nothing really. He had to go before Effie came back and clapped at him again to get moving."

Peeta chuckles, "I don't blame him."

The next day is the banquet for the victors that only the highest ranking people in the District are invited to. I can't imagine there would be many in attendance. District 12 doesn't really have "high ranking" people; our rich are probably equivalent to the poor in the wealthier districts. There definitely would not be an equal representation of District people. All those invited would be from Town, with no one from the Seam- no one except Gale and the rest of the Hawthornes.

The Hawthorns were taken to the Justice Building in the morning to get ready for the banquet this evening. I cannot imagine why they would possibly need that long to get ready. Though I suppose Hazelle and the kids would need to look fresh and flawless for the occasion since they will be on display as well.

I was concerned at first that I too would be expected to go for the sake of this whole act, but in the end I wasn't invited. Which doesn't bother me any. In fact it's probably for the best. I would not have been able to stand there all night, made to look like something I not, surrounded by people I don't know and don't care to know- all the while smiling and pretending this is completely normal. No thank you. I am already more involved in the Games than I want to be, I don't need to be drawn in any more.

Though I of course want to support Gale and Madge, I decide I can't stomach watching the televised showing of the banquet. This game isn't going to last forever and I need to start disconnecting myself from it. My problem now is what do I do? It takes me a while to figure out what I want. Without going hunting and without Gale or my required relationship with Peeta I don't know who I am. There are very few things I do just for me- for the fun of it. To my surprise an answer presents itself. My mind keeps wandering back to Peeta and soon my feet are following. As the sun is preparing to set, I walk into town and straight for the bakery. For the first time in a while I am drawn to Peeta simply because of him, because he is my friend and I enjoy his company- not because of the game. Why? I have no idea. Maybe it's because he understands me in a way very few do, and maybe he can help me sort out this jumbled mess in my head.

He must have seen me coming for he greets me at the back door before I even knock. Peeta and I sit on the bakery's porch and just talk. I even catch myself laughing. It seems like forever since we last did this, but it comes back to me as easily as if it were yesterday. There is nothing complicated about it, with no pressure to act a certain way. We don't hold hands and he doesn't try to kiss me. It's nice, and for the first time in a long while I feel safe. My only worry is how long this will last.

After an hour or so the sun has pretty much disappeared. I had been so engrossed by Peeta that I hadn't noticed until now the small parade of people making their way up the steps of the Justice Building and inside. Every time the massive doors open the guests entering are framed in a glow of yellow light. There are cameras crowded around the entrance, eager to capture every moment. The fact that they are still waiting around must mean that the victors have yet to arrive.

That's when two cars pull up. Cars are an odd sight in District 12, even in town. No one has cars; they are an unnecessary and unaffordable luxury. I don't even know if Mayor Undersee has one, and if he does he never uses it.

First out of the car is Haymitch who actually assists Effie carefully out. Once she is upright Gale emerges followed by Madge, hand firmly locked to his. From the second car, in a much less graceful manner, come the Hawthornes. The kids all but tumble out the door, so excited to have ridden in a car for the first time in their lives- oh the stories they will be telling me tomorrow. Hazelle brings up the rear trying to keep her children together all the while attempting to stay composed.

As they join the Undersees at the top of the stairs the Victor party is now complete. They all look splendid in their new and fashionable clothes. Yet I can tell all the Hawthornes are rather uncomfortable, maybe except little Posy who can't stop twirling in her frilly pink dress. Vick tugs at the collar of his dress shirt and fiddles with his bow tie; even Gale, who has been subjected to this lifestyle much longer than the rest of his family, seems awkward. All traces of the Seam have been removed, except of course their dark Seam look.

The cameras flash, trying to capture this first official glimpse of the victors with their families. The doors once again open and the Victor party is outlined in light. Hazelle and the kids enter right away, followed by Effie and Haymitch, leaving Gale and Madge alone outside surrounded by reporters and cameras.

They are no longer holding hands instead Gale has one arm wrapped around Madge waist, holding her to his side. They wave and smile at the cameras and right before heading through the doors they kiss.

"Katniss?"

Peeta's voice snaps me out of my daze. I hadn't realized he had continued talking while all this was going on. It felt like time had frozen, when really it had only been a minute or so.

"Hmm?"

"Were you even listening?" he asks.

I decide to give him the honest answer, "I was...but then I got distracted."

Distracted is really only one way to put it. The joy I felt at seeing Hazelle and the kids had abruptly switched the second I saw Gale and Madge kiss. I wasn't at all bothered by the fact he had his arm around her. It was the kiss. It's always the kiss that throws me off guard and I can't really discern why.

Peeta gets quiet, and looks at the ground. I can tell he is thinking, he always does this when he seriously thinks. I brace myself for what he will say. When he speaks the tone of his voice has dropped to just above a whisper, "I assume you were distracted by Gale?"

"No...well sort of. It's both of them. Together." I can't look at him.

"Are you sure?" he asks.

"Yes," my voice wavers ever so slightly and I just hope he doesn't notice. I thought I had all this figured out but the more he asks the more uncertain I become of my feelings.

Of course Peeta did catch the insecurity in my voice and doesn't let me get away with it. He launches right into what is bothering him, "I know something is up. I mean I've always known about you two. And I know we have talked about it before. I guess... I hoped... things might have changed."

"Peeta, Gale and I are friends; I don't know what else I can say to convince you of that. I don't know why you keep insisting there is something more."

There is a long pause this time. Three times I open my mouth to say something to try to break the silence but every time I just shut down again. I wait for Peeta to say something and when he does finally look up at me his blue eyes look so impossibly sad that I hate myself for being the cause.

"You've never looked at me the way you looked at him on the train platform."

My mood flips to the opposite extreme within seconds, as his words set in. My defenses are up and I snap at him, "Well I haven't really needed to have I? You didn't almost die Peeta!"

Again, the look of hurt on his face makes me instantly regret my words, "I'm sorry."

All Peeta does is shake his head sadly. It is as if a heavy weight has been placed on his shoulders, "That's not what I meant Katniss. He's a part of you. You need him." He drops his head.

"I don't need anyone," that response came automatically. It's what I've told myself for years, but this time for some reason it lacked the same amount of conviction.

There is another long silence where neither one of us says anything. Eventually Peeta reaches over and gently takes my hand in his, rubbing his thumb along my knuckles. The instant comfort I take from this scares me to death and it takes everything in me not to pull away and run.

"I wish you would consider that even though you say you don't need anyone, there are people who need you. You can't cut yourself off from those who care about you, and it is okay to show weakness, as long as it is to the right people." After a short pause he says, "All I want is for you to be happy Katniss."

I feel terrible for being the cause of his misery. Peeta of all people does not deserve to feel like that. So I do the only thing I can think of- I lean in and kiss him. There is not meant to be any other emotion behind this conciliatory kiss; however, when he kisses me back and I feel his fingers softly brush against my cheek that old fluttering starts up in my stomach. Yet another reminder of how complicated this whole situation is and what exactly I have to lose. This is exactly why I have never opened up in the past, it leaves you entirely too vulnerable to being hurt.