DISCLAIMER: HG characters do not belong to me.

Chapter 28-Separated

Gale sat outside the President's office while Katniss spoke with her. He waited patiently thinking about his conversation with Dez the night before. He was surprised to learn that Dez harbored feelings of jealousy towards Katniss. She never had before, but then again, Katniss wasn't in the picture until now.

When he had first told her about his history with Katniss, she had been supportive. She said she did believe the whole cousins stunt and was surprised that Katniss would take him for granted the way she did. He figures this may have sprung her jealousy, to have Katniss back in his life again possibly taking him for granted yet again while she was away from him.

He was desperately trying to not let that happen, not again. It was why he hasn't given her an answer yet to her proposal of them trying to be friends again.

Gale was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard an unwelcome voice say, "I see you weren't able to hold up your end of the bargain Hawthorne."

Haymitch glared down at him.

Gale rose from his seat and came face to face with him. "Hello to you too Abernathy" Gale said in a cold voice.

Haymitch continued his hard stare and said, "The girl has been gone for 4 months, we don't hear a word from her and I come to find out she's been reunited with you, I told you to keep your distance."

"I am keeping my distance, as best as I can. I've only been with her for about 4 days, I had no choice we had to confront her and the tribe. She destroyed our surveillance cameras."

"Sounds like our girl." Haymitch said with a slight chuckle.

Gale wasn't amused, he didn't understand Haymitch's aggressiveness towards him when he was the one who wanted him on this mission.

"I don't get what I have done to earn this disrespect."

Haymitch laughed loudly again and then his face turned serious and he got closer to Gale and said, "I respect you Hawthorne, you are one hell of a solider, that's why the President and I wanted you to lead this mission. But Katniss belongs with Peeta, Things were always—complicated when you were in the picture."

"And that's my fault?"

"You didn't exactly hide your feelings from her did you?" Haymitch challenged.

Gale looked at Haymitch with a scowl on his face. "I had every right to let my feelings be known, if it wasn't for Peeta and the games she and I would have been together."

Haymitch laughed loudly again, "And what makes you so sure of that?"

"Because she admitted it to me recently."

Haymitch's smile fell quickly. He had a look of shock on his face and said, "What did you say to her?"

"Our conversations are none of your business. But I haven't tried to win her back. I know that's what you think I am doing, but I'm not. Believe it or not, I have moved on from Katniss."

"Oh I don't doubt you moved on, it's not exactly hard for you to get a woman Hawthorne, but do any of them mean anything like Katniss did?"

"Yes, one does and it is because of my relationship with her I have resisted Katniss wanting our friendship back."

Haymitch reached into his jacket pocket and took out a flask and took a sip. 'Nothing has changed with him' Gale thought to himself as he watched Haymitch take a drink.

"Well, I suggest you keep that resistance up. Katniss needs to return to District 12. You still have your family, remember Peeta doesn't."

Gale wants to tell Haymitch that most likely that wasn't happening anytime soon, but he figured he'd let Katniss tell him. Suddenly he hears "Haymitch!"

He turns and sees Katniss right outside the President's door, staring at Haymitch in disbelief.

Haymitch turned from Gale and said, "Why hello sweetheart" and started approaching her.

She walked quickly to him and hugged him, smiling into his shoulder. "How did you know I was here?" she asked.

"The President's office called me yesterday and told me you were on your way here. The President was kind enough to have a hovercraft come get me from District 12."

Before Katniss could respond Paylor's secretary came up to Gale and said, "The President will see you know Commander Hawthorne."

Katniss turned to look at Gale, she was going to tell him about her conversation with Paylor but got distracted by Haymitch. She reached out and squeezed his arm in encouragement. Gale gave Katniss a small smile and he walked into her office.

The gesture was not ignored by Haymitch. He rolled his eyes as he watched Katniss stare at Gale while he walked into Paylor's office.

Katniss turned back to Haymitch and said, "How's Peeta?"

"He's good. Keeping busy with the bakery. He has been spending more time there, actually baking there instead of at home. He misses you."

Katniss silently nodded.

"He's worried about you Katniss. But all I see is you concerned about Hawthorne."

"Haymitch—"

"I don't get it Katniss, I thought you never wanted to see him again."

"I didn't, but that was before."

"Before what?" Haymitch demanded.

"Before I was with the tribe. I have found a sense of peace there Haymitch. I am trying to move on from the past. I have learned to let go of a lot of my anger. Even my anger at Gale."

"I can see that sweetheart."

"It's not what you think. Gale has a fiancé."

"It's not you I'm worried about."

Katniss looked at Haymitch in disbelief. She was done talking to him about Gale. She decided to change the subject. "I know about the militia groups, I know you know about them."

This time Haymitch looked uncomfortable. "We thought it was best if you didn't know about it back in 12."

"We?" Katniss asked with her eyebrows raised.

"The President, Heavensbee, myself and some others."

"I know Gale set up surveillance in District 12."

"Yes he did. He is part of the we."

"Listen Haymitch, you are not going to like what I am about to tell you. But, I won't be coming back to District 12 anytime soon."

Haymitch looked at Katniss angrily. "Why not?"

"I need to return to the tribe I was with. I need to continue what I started with them."

"You were with them for months, what about Peeta, you know, the man you supposedly love?"

"Haymitch you know I wasn't happy, I hadn't been for a long time. Peeta knew I had to go away to get better. Being away is helping me. I can't be with the person I love if I don't have the will to live."

Haymitch's hardened stare softened. "Is that really how you felt?"

"It was almost to that point Haymitch. At times the feelings I had when I first came back to District 12 were re-emerging."

"But you seemed so happy with Peeta. I mean as happy as you could have been."

"That's just it, as happy as I could have been. I look at our lives, yours, Peeta's and mine and I still see damaged people."

"Of course we are damaged, look at what the three of us have been through! Who would be normal after that? I didn't get the happy ending sweetheart, but you almost did."

"Maybe I can get that happy ending Haymitch. I was happy with Peeta. But then things changed, I can't explain why. Please respect my decision, I'm doing this for Peeta too."

"Well, I think the least you could do is call him and tell him."

Katniss nodded, Haymitch was right. She should have called Peeta last night, she did see a phone in her room. "The phones here, they will call anywhere right?"

"Of course, this is the President's mansion."

"I am going to go back to my room to call Peeta. In case anyone needs me that's where I'll be."

"Remember what I said sweetheart. The boy loves you, don't forget that."

Katniss hugged Haymitch one last time before returning back to her room.


Once Katniss walked into her room she collapsed on the bed. She didn't want to make the phone call. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to Peeta, she didn't know how she was going to tell him she wasn't coming home. That she couldn't.

She sat up, took a deep breath, and dialed. No one answered.

Katniss looked at the clock, it was almost 9 am, figuring he must be at the bakery. She racked her brain trying to remember the number, it finally came to her. She dialed the number and waited, after 2 rings a voice picked up saying "Hello?"

She recognized the voice, it was Delly Cartwright. She and her brother had returned to District 12 around the same time everyone else started to return. She was not surprised she was at the bakery, Delly had been helping with food production since returning to 12. And she still remained friends with Peeta.

"Delly-it's Katniss, is Peeta there?"

"Katniss! How are you?" Delly said in a cheerful manner. 'Nothing changes with her' Katniss thought.

"I'm doing okay, thanks for asking."

"Hold on, I'll get Peeta, he'll be so happy to hear it's you."

Katniss took a deep breath while waiting for Peeta to get on the line.

"Katniss! Are you alright? How are you?" Peeta said sounding concerned and sweet at the same time.

"Hi Peeta. I'm fine. I'm in the Capitol. I just got here yesterday late last night. I'm sorry I didn't call then."

"That's okay, I'm just glad you are alright. Is the tribe helping you? Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, the tribe has been great, I actually learned their language. I am feeling better, a lot better."

"That's great Katniss. It makes being away from you bearable. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too Peeta." While Katniss thought of Peeta less and less as the weeks went on, she did miss him.

"Why are you in the Capitol?"

"There has been some—developments concerning the Capitol and the Native's. I needed to get answers and I came to get help. It is sort of complicated."

"I understand. You can tell me about it when you come home. When are you coming home?"

"Well, that's just it Peeta, I don't know when I will be back." Katniss stammered.

"What do you mean?" She heard sadness in his voice.

"One of the reasons is because I have to help the tribe with something, something important. And once that is finished, I wanted to continue working on my—issues."

"Is the something you are helping them with have to do with why you asked the Capitol for help?

"Yes."

"Is it dangerous?"

"Sort of. But there are soldiers from the Capitol to help."

"Be careful" Peeta said with a sense of urgency in his voice.

"I always am. You know that."

"Is Rainbow Bridgewater there with you in the Capitol?"

Katniss closed her eyes, trying to gain her composure after hearing her name. "No—she uh—she's dead Peeta."

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry Katniss. What happened?"

She didn't want to get into all the details regarding the militia groups with Peeta. Not over the phone. She hated hiding things from him but felt it was for his own good.

"She and I were with a small group of Native's and we got attacked, Rain got injured and didn't make it.'

"Katniss, it sounds really dangerous where you are at."

"It can be, but for the most part it is peaceful there. It is not as dangerous now that the soldiers are here with me."

"Is Gale with you?"

Katniss gulped. That came out of nowhere.

"Yes—he's the squad leader. It was Haymitch's idea, his and Paylor's."

She heard Peeta sigh on the other end of the line. "That is not surprising. Gale is a good soldier, and he would do anything to protect you."

"I just found out about his squad 4 days ago. Once what I have to help the tribe with is finished, they will be leaving."

"But you will be staying?"

"Yes—please understand I have to do this—for us."

"I do understand. I just hope you come back."

"Peeta—"Katniss couldn't finish what she wanted to say, she didn't want to say anything that would hurt him.

"It's okay Katniss. I understand, and I'm glad you are getting help."

"I love you." Katniss said, trying to make things better.

"I love you too. Take care of yourself."

"I will, and I'll call again when I can. And Peeta, can you-tell my mother about Rain?"

"Sure."

"Thanks, goodbye."

"Goodbye Katniss" and she heard the line click.

She laid back on the bed after she hung up. She felt horrible for not being able to say she would come back home to him. Tears started to form in her eyes, she didn't bother wiping them away. An hour later she was still laying on her back staring at the ceiling. Her eyes puffy and red from crying. She heard a knock at the door.

She slowly got up and walked over the door and opened it slightly. She saw Gale and opened the door all the way.

He looked surprised to see she had been crying. His eyes became gentle as he said, "President Paylor has given me twenty more soldiers. We plan to ambush the Jay Killers and bring them back to the Capitol. Spencer and four more soldiers will go with you to help take the cameras down in the other tribes. You know the President gave you access to a hovercraft."

Katniss shook her head in response. "When do you leave?" she asked.

"First thing tomorrow morning. I'm going to visit my family and—my girlfriend today."

"You can say fiancé Gale. I know you are engaged."

He looked at her surprisingly. "Spencer told you didn't he?"

"He thought it be nice if an old friend could be at your wedding."

Gale smiled and said, "That sounds like him."

"So when do I leave?" Katniss said changing the subject.

"Whenever you want. Spencer has the coordinates."

"I'd like to go after lunch if that is okay."

"Sure, I'll tell him to meet you in the room we had breakfast in. Noon okay?"

Katniss looked over to the bed and saw the clock read 10:45 am. That should give her plenty of time to get ready.

"Sure, noon works."

Gale nodded. "I'm not sure when I will see you again."

"Be careful and thanks for helping me. Thanks for everything."

He nods again, not answering her. He turns to leave, walking a few steps and then suddenly turns back around and says, "Katniss!"

She hadn't quite closed the door and poked her head out. "Yeah?"

He goes back to the door and she opens it wide again, standing there in anticipation.

"The answer to your request is yes-we can try to be friends."

She smiles, a bright smile. The first one he's seen from her.

She reaches up for a hug, this time he doesn't pull away. He holds her in his arms for a brief moment and releases her. He takes out a black armband and it hands it to her. She looks at is quizzically.

"It's a tracker. Should you need me, flip this button down—like this" The armband has a rectangular box in the middle, off to the side is a small button. He shows her how to activate the tracking device. "The tracker then alerts my device." He pulls out a small object from his front pocket, it looks like a small computer.

She nods and says, "Thank you."

He turns around and walks away. She closes the door behind her, continuing to smile.