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All rights go to Suzanne Collins, I own nothing.

Chapter 8

Katniss POV

When I wake up I notice that Peeta isn't in bed anymore. Before I start to panic I remember that he had to go into the bakery today and he always leaves about 5 am. I look over at the clock and it is 9. I smile at myself knowing the reason for my increasing amound of sleep. 'I have those strong arms warding of my nightmares.' I decide to get up and greet the day with a smile on my face. I quickly go shower and get dresses. Then I braid my hair as usual and I walk downstairs certain that there are going to be cheese buns on the table. I sat at the table and ate it and I heard a knock at the door. I wonder who it could be, Haymitch never has the decency to knock and it's Peeta's house. I make my way to the door and when I open it I was in no way prepared to deal with what greeted me.

"Hey Catnip." I can't believe Gale Hawthorne is standing right in front of me. I haven't see or heard from him since we were in the capitol. Prim. No, I can't afford to think about that right now.

"Hi Gale, what are you doing here?" That probably sounded a lot ruder than I had meant for it to be, but I really don't know why after 9 months, he is showing up now.

"Look I don't blame you if you aren't happy to see me. I shouldn't have left you to deal with all of this by yourself. It wasn't fair to you and I'm sorry." I'm literally in awe at the moment, but he continues. "I needed to see you, to know that you were ok. I hadn't heard from you for so long or even heard about you. I need to know that I didn't destroy you." His face is full of sorrow and guilt, but I really don't know why. He didn't do anything, I don't think anyway.

"Why do you think you destroyed me. Noone destroyed me but the only two people that came even close were Snow and Coin. Gale, what don't I know?" I look at him and his face shows more guilt than I ever thought was possible.

"You really don't know?"

"No, I have absolutely no clue what you are talking about."

"Katniss, it's my fault that Prim is dead. The bombs were my design." I can feel the tears starting to well up in my eyes.

Gale POV

Those were probably the hardest words I've had to say in my entire life. To watch her face drop and the tears start to come, it hurts to know that I've inflicted that pain. I just turn my eyes to the ground in shame

"Gale?" I can't believe she is still talking to me, even though she knows what I did. I still look at her though, despite how much pain it brings. "Gale, look at my eyes." I do what she asks. "You are in no way responsible for my little sister's death, ok? You may have designed the bombs, but you didn't order them to drop on the children. That was Coin. Remember? So I don't want you to ever think that it was your doing again, ok?" She is trying to hide the pain of talking about Prim from me, but I see straight through it. After all, I've known her forever. I just go up and give her the hug that I know we both needed. I don't need or want anymore than this from her, a friend.

"Gale? Would you like to come inside?" I just nod and give her a weak smile. Once we are inside she makes us some tea and we sit down and I realize there is something I really need to tell her.

"Catnip?"

"Yea?"

"I think he's for you." She about chokes on her tea.

"What?"

"Mellark. He is the one for you and I know that now. Really, it was never a choice between us. It was just me wanting you to make one that noone ever should have to. I've seen the way you two look at each other. That right there is love. Love that can't be broken by anyone. Not Snow, not Coin, and certainly not me. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize that."

"Thankyou, I do love him, with all of my heart. I really appreciate you coming her Gale. Do you think we can still be friends. I know all that the way did to us, and I really do miss you." I just shake my head at her.

"Do you really think after coming here to see you, that I didn't want to be friends again?" She smiles and I realize she's smiling a lot more lately. Good, she deserves it. Then I leave. I guess I should go talk to Mellark now. Make sure he keeps up keeping her this happy.

As I walk into the bakery I see him. Holding a ring box. He catchs sight of me and quickly puts the ring away.

"Hi Gale." Jeez, you would think I'm evil from the look in his eyes.

"Look, I'm not here for anything bad. I already talked to Katniss and told her I want you two to be together. If you tell me you are going to propose to her, I wouldn't tell her but I wouldn't get angry either. So are you going to?"

"Yes. I plan to ask her tonight."

"So what's your plan?"

"Well, I sort of need help for my dream idea to ask her."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Well…." He tells me and there really couldn't be anything more romantic out there, and more perfectly suited to them.

"Count me in."

Sorry to leave you guys on a sort of cliffy. I promise you though, if I can, the next chapter will be updated ver very soon. Stay amazing. Oh! And review! Tell me what you think of this chapter, what you want the proposal to be like, or just whatever you want to say.(Reviews make me write faster =)) Thanks -alwaysremember01