15 Years Later, Chapter # 3

So sorry for the slow update, I've got a new job and life is catching up with me!

Rated MA for language, possible violence, and lemons.

I do not own "The Hunger Games" and all rights belong to the Author.

Written in multiple POV's.

My first time writing a Fanfic, so be patient with me!

*Gale's POV*

"Mail for you, Commander Hawthorne!" I heard tapping at my door.

What the fuck is someone doing at my door this early? I jump out of bed, pull on a pair of pants, and head to answer the front door. I look at my watch- it's only 7:20 AM, on a Sunday, my ONE day off, of all days. I thought the mail only came Monday through Saturday…? I swing open the door to find Busby, the mail delivery boy, holding a cream-colored envelope with green stripes on it, forehead drenched in sweat.

"Thanks Busby," I say to him, taking the envelope from his hand, "I thought mail only came Monday through Saturday?"

"Yes it does, Commander Hawthorne, but this is a special delivery. It was rushed overnight on a hoverplane from District 12 to arrive here, sir, and my dad said that it might be important, sir, so I had to run to you first thing and…" poor kid was running out of breath talking so quickly.

"It's okay Busby, thank you," I said looking down at him, "Tell your dad I said thank you as well."

"Okay, Commander Hawthorne. Bye!" Busby turned around and ran off.

I entered my apartment and closed the door behind me, looking down at the brightly colored envelope. To my surprise, the return address reads "Katniss Mellark, 3 Victory Road, Victor's Village, District 12, Panem, 90012-87342." I can't decide whether to run it through the shredder or rip it open as fast as I can. I can't believe that after all this time, Katniss is finally reaching out to me. I hope she remembers our past and chose to put it behind her, as I had done shortly after the rebellion. I couldn't ever bring myself to break her heart and interrupt her new, fabulous life as a victor and wife to none other than Peeta fucking Mellark, a baker. But I digress. I just want to be friends again.

I open the letter and try to read slowly.

Gale. Hey. It's Katniss. Sorry I don't really know how to start letters… I was thinking about you the other day, I went to visit our meadow outside of 12.

I've been wanting to contact you sooner but I can't seem to find a number for you in the phone catalog. Maybe the one I have isn't current, who knows. If you ever get this letter, please respond with your phone number and address. I hope you don't mind I addressed this letter to "Soldier Gale Hawthorne, District 2" as I didn't know any of your contact details. No pressure or anything, but you can call me at my number anytime.

I heard from Mom that you're still living in 2 and just got promoted to commander. I don't know whether to trust all the capitol gossip these days between all the nurses and doctors at Mom's hospital, but if it's true, Congratulations. I always knew you would go on to do something good. I hear it's hot all the time in 2, you have to tell me all about it and send pictures. Is it true that the ground is covered in sand, there's no water anywhere and that there are plants with needles on them? I read in the newest Panem University publication that district 2 is located where a place called New Mexico was before the first rebellion.

The main reason I wanted to write you this letter is to apologize to you for the way I treated you after the rebellion. I know it wasn't your fault that Prim was killed by those bombs. You intended them for use to help the rebels, but you mistakenly killed one of your own. I understand. I remember Prim every single day but I also know that you live with the consequences of your actions every day. I never thought I would be writing these words, but I forgive you. Truly.

My life after the rebellion has been nowhere near normal, but I try to find happiness every day. I'm sure you know of my marriage to Peeta, and I hope that you visit us one day, as a friend and ally. I don't know anything of your relationship status at the moment, but I wish you all the best and congratulate you if you've married and I haven't gotten word of it.

My entire existence seems to have changed, Gale. I finally want to pick up and be happy. I've lost the coldness in my heart and mind and have tried to accept the idea of having a family of my own. It might seem crazy, but marriage and kids come easier when there's peace in our world, I think. No games, starvation, or execution to worry about anymore. This might all seem so sudden and insane, but I want you to be a part of my life again… to be friends. My door is always open to you. You would be more than welcomed back in 12 and you would be an indispensable leader for us all.

District 12 has rebuilt itself so much. Almost all of the survivors from the bombings have moved back and rebuilt, bigger and better this time. You'll be happy to hear that many businesses are booming and lots of families are welcoming new children, biological and adopted. I hope that everything in 2 is just as good, if not better.

I hope to hear from or see you soon,

Best Regards- Katniss Mellark

May 25th

Phone: 90012-3-821-45

3 Victory Road, Victor's Village, District 12, Panem, 90012-87342

What did I just read? I start reading it over again slowly this time.

"…I want you to be part of my life again… to be friends…" I read, my face reddening, "…My door is always open to you."

I can't stop myself from tearing up. I quickly sit down at my table, put my head down, and cry, really cry, thinking about everything that me and Katniss had been through together as children and during the rebellion. I love her still, after all these years, I can't deny it, and I'm a fool for lying to myself about it.

I think cyclically about my teenaged, hormone-fueled romps at the slag heap, my pushiness towards Katniss about marriage and children, and my overall bad attitude, impulsiveness, and abrasiveness. I wonder now, as I have thousands of times after the rebellion, if things would be different now if I had been kinder to her, possibly courted her and romanced her instead of pushing her prematurely.

I can't believe that she actually married fucking Mellark. Peeta Mellark. The bread boy, the golden boy of Panem, that useless sack of shit. He was weak, pompous, and not worthy of her love. Her devotion. Her hand in marriage. Or her beautiful, hot body… She's a married woman, Asshole! I thought to myself. I still shuddered thinking about how truly lucky Peeta was. He somehow got the privilege of having her, physically and lawfully, to himself forever. And he probably pressured her into getting married and having kids, something she never wanted. It should have been me, not him, loving her and supporting her after the rebellion.

I could have done things differently. I should have never been so eager to kill, to murder in cold blood so painlessly and thoughtlessly. I even accidentally murdered Prim when I was supposed to protect her. What was I thinking when I happily helped drop those bombs? What kind of man did shit like that without a second thought? I was a monster and she knew it.

But then why her forgiveness?

I don't deserve it, but I did want it dearly.

I ran over to my study and rummaged around for some writing paper, an envelope, and a pen that actually worked properly. I sat back down at the table and stopped myself. What was I going to say to her after all these years? I took some deep breaths and started writing.

Hey, Catnip.

The rumors are true, I just got promoted to Commander a few weeks ago. Way less glamorous than it sounds, by the way. I'm only off on Sundays and have to be up at 4 every other day of the week. Sucks, but It's worth it, I guess. As for my phone number, It isn't posted in the phone catalog for security reasons. It's 90002-9-820-96.

District 2 is essentially a city in the middle of the desert. There's sand, dry ground, and barren mountains all around. There's only water deep underground, which is why there are electric wells here. We do have spiky plants here, called Cactuses. They hurt, A lot. Just trust me on that. I'd send pictures but my camera is busted.

I'm happy to hear that you're doing better all around. I haven't changed much, to be honest with you. Same old thing, for the most part. I haven't married yet, not even close. There have been some ladies here and there but no one serious at the moment. The dating scene is pretty dry here in 2. Being a huge magnet for rebel soldiers, men outnumber women almost 5 to 1.

I never got the chance to apologize to you formally about everything that happened with the bombing. I'm so sorry, Katniss. I am grateful, truly grateful, for your forgiveness, even though I know I don't deserve it. You are too good for me, Catnip. You always have been.

Congratulations on your marriage to Peeta. I'm sorry I missed it. I wish you all the best. Are you still living in Victors' Village? Is Haymitch still doing well? Are there any kids in the picture yet? I am happy for your happiness and hope it continues to grow for you.

Life hasn't slowed down much here in 2. So many responsibilities, so little time. I've barely had any time to be happy. I still have horrible dreams about the rebellion and all the lives lost. I can't help but feel as though I'm responsible for countless deaths, justified or not. I am so glad for our victory, as it has allowed for us to finally seek true happiness and freedom, but I do have my regrets. I'm sure you understand my feelings.

I've been hoping for a long time that we could resolve our issues and be friends again. I've missed you so much, Katniss. Life just isn't the same without you as a friend and ally. I want to visit but wouldn't have anywhere to stay. I have my yearly intermission starting next week. Maybe I'll stop by.

Feel free to stop by district 2 or call or write anytime. I'm here for you, Always.

Best,

Commander Gale Hawthorne

May 26th

Phone # 90002-9-820-96

16 Sierra Vista Road, Commanders' Corridor, District 2, Panem, 90002-87222

I sealed up the addressed envelope, put a T-shirt on, and ran out the door to bring the letter to the Post Officer, Busby's father, Mr. Kenworth. I arrived a few minutes later, out of breath, sweating, my skin burning in the desert sun. I knocked on the door, and Mr. Kenworth answered a minute later.

"Gale! I- I mean, Commander Hawthorne? Is everything alright? It's awfully early to be out and about…" Mr. Kenworth said, looking at the letter in my hand, "Ah, what's this now?"

"A letter to be sent to District 12 immediately, Sir." I said as I caught my breath.

"Now young man, I mean Commander, it's Sunday. I believe the letter sent to you by this young lady," He looked down at the envelope, "Katniss Mellark, arrived very early this morning by hoverplane, and the last hoverplane back to District 12 departed this morning at 5:00 AM. The next hoverplane carrying mail to district 12 will leave at midnight. Is this official business… Do I need to inform Commander In Chief Klein of its urgency…?"

"No, Sir, no urgency at all, Sir…" I replied cautiously, "But I will need this letter to be on the next plane to district 12… It's a matter of personal business…"

"Ah, I see…" He replied slowly, "Commander Hawthorne… Don't take this personally… But Mrs. Mellark is a married woman, I'm sure she doesn't need fanfare or rapid responses… and I'm confident her husband would not take this lightly…"

"It's not like that, Sir," I said, my face getting red, "Katniss is a long-time friend of mine and a comrade during the rebellion. No funny business here, Sir."

"Alright Commander, I'll get this on its way as soon as possible. Sorry for any invasion of privacy…"

"No trouble at all, Mr. Kenworth. Thank you, thank you so much." I shook his hand and walked away. Hopefully Katniss would have the letter by tomorrow morning.