Gale's POV

I sat in the train, watching the world speed past. I had never been on a train. Well I if I stayed and got a job in the mines I might have been able to help load one, in District 12 they have one that delivers coal to the wealthier Districts. I couldn't get the conversation from earlier out of my head. I had been thinking about it for at least and hour, but nothing had changed. Maybe Katniss was right; maybe I should have let the bulky baker's son be her male tribute from District 12. I mean only one of us could survive, and I put a lot of effort making sure it was she who won. I never stopped to think: what about my family? How would they survive without me? I am sure Katniss would give them some of her winnings, and I have no doubt she would continue to hunt, but it is still not the same.

A soft tapping sound startled me out of the daze of thoughts.

"Come in." I was not really looking forward to company but I couldn't refuse any help they were offering at this point.

"Hey." Katniss came in her reaping clothes, traded in for a soft blue shirt and a pair of pants. Her hair was still braided in the braid her mother had done only a few hours before.

"Hi there Catnip." I gave her a smile, and my arms absentmindedly opened inviting her in for a hug. Without hesitation my little Catnip hugged me. I could feel her heart beating one in the same with mine, and I could feel the warmth in her strong, lean body. I knew I had to tell her I loved her, but to tell her as we were going to be thrown into the most barbaric games in our history? Forget it, the idea was as stupid as the person who had come up with it. But on the other hand, it's either now or never.

"Katniss, I need to tell you something. I –"

She cut me off just then with something I was not expecting. A kiss. Her lips were surprisingly gentler than I would have thought, and she was inexperienced, I was just out of practice.

_Katniss's POV

Gale's lips were soft and gentle against mine, and I kept worrying I might mess up. Then Gale was holding me; much like the day in the woods when we realized that we still had traps in the woods from years ago. I almost fell into one of our last resort traps. We had dug deep trenches and covered them with leaves. I almost fell and Gale had been there to catch me. I now remembered that he held me fro longer that necessary and then that was it. The day went on as usual and only now do I notice the little things. Gale would look at me out of the corner of his grey eyes. I didn't look back at him, but I noticed him.

Now I felt so close, yet so distant from my old hunting partner. Gale gently pulled out of the kiss.

"Katniss, I—"

"Don't start Gale." I stopped him afraid that he was going to argue and tell me how bad this is for us be doing this.

"You think I'm going to argue against this?" Gale cocked his head to the side, and looked at me with a silly drunken looking smile.

"Well, I just thought…." I looked down at the plush carpet, and Gale put his hand under my chin. He slowly lifted my face to look at him. His grey eyes meet mine, and my past distant feeling vanished. I hugged Gale and I leaned my head onto his shoulder still covered by his hunting jacket. He wraps his arms around me and leans his head on top of mine. I slowly drift off to sleep listening to the sound of Gale's heartbeat in the silent room.

I faintly remember a tapping sound on the door and then nothing. I remember faces, some familiar and some new. I remember Gale, and Haymitch, and a few new faces, that I assumed to be servants.

When I finally come to for good, I see nothing but darkness. I look around and I am alone, lying down on a plush bed with rich textures and colors. All I remember is that I fell asleep in Gale's arms, and now he was gone.

"Hey Catnip." I jump and turn squinting to see through the seemingly infinite darkness. Then Gale takes my hand and I relax.

"I thought you had gone." I couldn't help scold myself at how desperate and vulnerable I sounded.

"I won't leave your side, if that's what you want." Gale gives me a smile I can't see, but can feel in the darkness