DISCLAIMER: HG Characters do not belong to me.
A/N: So-I wanted to clear something up from the last chapter. I can see why it would not make sense in regards to Katniss envisioning getting married to a tribesman and having children. Especially when Katniss was so against having children. My interpretation in the books was she was against having children in Panem, not that she was against being a mother. So I decided to put that line in there to show that if she had stayed with the tribe, that she could see herself falling in love with someone there and having children someday. I hope that makes more sense. As always, thanks for the reviews!
Chapter 43-Reunion II
After Gale watched Katniss walk away heading towards the Sioux village, he saw her turn around and give him a final smile. He forced himself to smile back. He felt anxiety watching her go. While he knew the Sioux could protect Katniss, it was her history of reckless decisions that concerned him, especially when it came to protecting innocent people. Gale knew Katniss really cared for the Sioux, his biggest fear was that she would do something that would jeopardize her safety to protect them.
Once she was out of site, he returns to the hovercraft. He sees his team look at him with anticipation, waiting for him to speak. He takes a deep breath and says, "This will be our last ride together, while we weren't able to find all of the Jay Killer's, we were able to capture some of them. And we accomplished our main goal-ensuring Katniss's safety. I am proud of all of you, and I will miss you all."
Every single soldier said if a unit needed to be formed in the future to help stop the Jay Killers, they wanted to be a part of it, as long as Gale was the squad leader. To say Gale was touched was an understatement. Being on this mission he learned that leading came naturally to him and while he made some mistakes along the way, especially in regards to Sequoyah and Trent and the soldiers he lost, he felt overall he did the best he could and had few regrets.
The ride back to the Capitol was filled with sadness, for the group didn't know when they would see each other again.
When they arrived and headed down the walkway at the military base headquarters, Spencer approached Gale and said, "Commander, I was hoping, should anything happen to Katniss, you could let me know? I figured you would hear from her and know something before I would."
Gale looked at Spencer and said, "Of course, but don't think you'll never hear from Katniss again. She considers you a friend, and she can be a pretty loyal friend. You'll see."
"Thanks. I am glad you two became friends again. I think she really missed having you in her life."
Gale didn't know what to make of Spencer's comment. While he appreciated that Spencer was happy for him, he couldn't help but think he was implying more had happened between him and Katniss beyond becoming friends again.
"Take care of yourself Spencer, I hope if I ever lead another squad again, you will be at my side."
"Definitely. Take Care Commander."
When Gale went to see President Paylor at the President's mansion, she informed Gale that there had been no sighting of Geffen and that it is assumed at this point he is in hiding. Hovercrafts had been sent out to try to scan the wild territory, but there were no signs of any of the Jay Killers. All that could be done now, was continue to monitor the militia groups as best as they could. They were currently training some soldiers to act as spies within the militia groups, hoping to get more information that way.
President Paylor ordered Gale to go back to his job in District 2, informing him the Capitol would be in contact if they need him. She also informed him he would have the next week and a half off with pay, returning the Monday after next.
Gale was looking forward to having the time off, it would give him a chance to reconnect with Dez and to spend time with his family. And, as long as nothing happens in regards to Katniss's safety, he would be able to go to Vick's graduation, which was really important to him.
He got to his apartment around 4 pm. Dez was not home yet, he figured she must still be at the salon. He sees Harper come out of their bedroom his tail wagging furiously. Gale greets him with a hug and almost ten minutes worth of petting. He grabs Harper's leash and leaves a note in case Dez comes home while he is gone.
He takes Harper to the park around the corner letting the dog stretch his legs while they played fetch. After about 20 minutes he decides to take a quick walk with Harper down the street before heading back to the apartment. He purchases for Dez pink roses from a local florist shop. When he arrives back at the apartment, he sees she is already home-waiting for him on the living room couch.
"Gale" she says getting up and walking over to him and hugging him. While she looks happy to see him, she does not have the sense of urgency in her voice or her actions as she did the last time she saw him. He guesses it is because it had only been a little over two weeks since he last saw her. He had often been gone that length of time while on business trips around Panem.
He kisses her after their embrace ends. He senses more eagerness from her while she kisses him back. After a few seconds he ends the kiss, handing her the roses.
"I missed you" he says while her watches her face brighten as she looks at them.
"They're beautiful, thank you" she says smiling up at him.
"Not nearly as beautiful as you" he says leaning down again stealing another kiss.
"I missed you too, I didn't think you would be back this soon" she says after the kiss ends.
"I said I wouldn't be gone longer than a month-it was a promise I intended to keep,"
"Does this mean you are back-for good?"
"Yes, we were not able to find all of the Jay Killers, we think their leader is back in Panem, unless the Capitol finds his whereabouts, I'm here to stay."
She looks extremely relieved and reaches up to hug him again. They then move to couch and sit down, Harper laying down the floor right beside the couch near Gale's feet. Dez turns to face him and says, "What about Katniss?"
"She went back to live with the Natives."
"She did?" Dez asks completely taken aback.
"Yeah, I told you that would probably happen when we spoke on the phone."
"I know, I just-I never thought she'd actually do it. Leave Peeta I mean."
"Well, according to her it is a break up-for now."
Dez made a face at Gale, showing her annoyance. While she was happy Katniss choose Peeta over Gale, she never understood Katniss's fierce loyalty to Peeta. Sure, he saved her life in the arena, but Gale had done even more for her in Dez's opinion, he provided for her family. He volunteered and risked his life to get Peeta back for her. Yet she never returned the same loyalty to Gale. Hearing that she didn't totally break things off with Peeta was not a surprise.
She was glad to hear Katniss was far away, and far from Gale. Katniss being in Gale's life again had caused her anxiety to increase and when that happens, she automatically loses weight. Her therapist had been working on strategies with her to manage her anxiety in more healthy ways, she recently began taking an art class and was trying meditation exercises. So far it seemed to be helping thought it was too early to tell for sure. And she was trying to make a point to eat at least twice a day.
Gale saw Dez's scowl and chuckled saying "I know, Katniss will be Katniss. I do want to let you know though-Katniss and I-we decided to become friends again."
He sees the look on her face change, she tries to keep her composure but he can tell the news has upset her. He takes her hands in his and says, "We are just friends-nothing more has happened, I swear."
"I believe you" she says quickly.
"Good. I love you-please don't doubt that. The President has given me over a week off, I plan to spend it with you and my Mom, Vick and Posy. I want it to be just you and me."
She nods and leans in for a kiss. It was a soft kiss, light and sweet.
He takes her to dinner that night, he is happy to see her order a large meal and finish it. Afterwards they take a stroll through the downtown area of District 2 in an attempt to walk off their food. When they get back to the apartment, he calls his Mother and lets her know he is back. They speak for several minutes and he speaks with Vick and Posy before hanging up.
"So I'm sure your Mother was happy to hear your voice" Dez says when Gale returns to the living room.
"She was, I am going over to their house tomorrow evening for dinner after Vick and Posy get home from school. Do you want to come?"
"No, it should just be you and them, a Hawthorne only gathering."
"You know they consider you a part of the family."
Dez is touched by Gale's words but says "I know, but I'll be fine here, really. Besides, tomorrow is Thursday, my TV night" and winks at him.
That night he makes love to her slowly, not rushing anything. He figures he has all the time in the world now and plans to make the most of their time together. He looks up at her as she glides up and down looking him straight in the eyes as she moans softly. His one hand touching her breast, the other down below stroking her clit. Her nipple hardens at his constant rubbing, she feels herself start to climax and begins panting heavily. Gale sensing she is near release strokes her even harder. After she comes, she collapses on top of him, Gale gently rubbing her back as her breathing returns to normal. She sighs deeply and raises her head up and says, "I expect that every night" in a teasing manner.
He laughs and says, "As you wish" as she rolls off to his side, curling up beside him, utterly spent.
Gale stays busy for the next 11 days. As promised, he takes Posy to the fashion museum in the Capitol, just the two of them. He takes Vick on a tour of the military academy in the Capitol and helps him fill out an application for a pre-screening for the aviation program. He also spends quality time with his Mother, meeting her for breakfast each morning before she heads off to her first home to clean. And of course he spends a lot of time with Dez. Finally speaking with her about wedding plans. He knows she wants a formal wedding, while District 2 weddings were not nearly as extravagant as in the Capitol, it was customary to have a large wedding in a venue. He speaks with her about her ideas on which venue to have their wedding in. While he prefers to have a small ceremony, he knows she wants all of her friends there and her family's friend as well. He knows the tradition in the Capitol and the career districts is that the wedding is the bride's day, and he doesn't want to deny her that.
They decide on a date-June 30 the following year. He sees how excited she is to finally start planning and begins to notice that she seems less anxious. Her improved mood continues even after Gale returns to work. As the weeks go by she begins to start gaining weight again, much to Gale's delight. Her breasts start to get slightly bigger and she is not as frail in appearance. He shows his appreciation for her slightly fuller frame in the bedroom, much to her delight.
As promised, Gale attends Vick's graduation with Dez by his side. He looks on with pride as he watches his younger brother walk with his graduating class. Gale treats his Mother, Rory, Vick, Posy, and Dez to dinner afterwards at Vick's favorite restaurant. As a surprise, Gale had arranged with Rory to come to District 2, staying at Gale's apartment the night before. Gale had paid for Rory's train ticket, for Rory had explained that since it was the beginning of halibut season and that if he missed work he would lose pay. Rory agreed to stay for 3 days much to Gale's relief, for he wasn't sure his brother would accept the offer.
Dez loved seeing how committed Gale was to his family. She teared up when she saw Hazelle cry in happiness when Gale and Rory surprised her when Rory showed up at the ceremony. She looked forward to one day having children with Gale knowing he would be an excellent father.
She was beyond happy that the two of them were closer than ever. Things were finally moving forward with wedding planning and she was feeling more relaxed and at ease in her relationship with him than she had in a long time. Finally putting her fears of losing him behind her.
Unfortunately it all came crashing down the day Gale told her Katniss would be staying at their apartment for the next 3 weeks.
