A/N: Sorry guys, we had some issues with editing on this one but it's done now so read because it's ARENA TIME!

Gale woke the morning of the games feeling very nervous.

"Ermela wake up," He said shaking her gently

She said something inaudible and turned away.

"You have to get up," Gale said.

She groaned and sat up, "Right."

"Sorry," He said.

"Not your fault."

"I know, but still," he said as Haymitch entered looking sober and grim.

"Final advice?" Ermela sighed.

"Yeah, stick to your strengths and try and remain hidden, but dangerous," He said.

"Alright, what about first thing once the gong goes off?" She asked.

"Gale, I think can make it through to the Cornucopia and grab weapons for the both of you. Ermela you go for supplies," Haymitch said

"You really think we could make it?" Ermela asked.

"I do, if we all play our cards right," Haymitch said

"Alright, I'll trust your judgement." Ermela said.

"Good," He sighed.

"Anything else?" Gale asked.

"Never drop your guard until it's over," Haymitch said

They both nodded, dropping your guard is the best way to get killed.

"Lets go eat," He said

They got up and headed to the dining room. None of them spoke, they really had no idea what to say. They ate and drank water until they peacekeepers came to take them away.

"Good Luck," Haymitch said

"Keep your promise." Gale said seriously since his job isn't over.

"I will," He said

That was just before they were too far gone though.

They were lead over to the roof and onto a hovercraft.

It was a relief to see the empty seats that would have held the other five Careers if it wasn't for Ermela.

However Cato was still there and he was glaring directly at them.

Ermela sighed and scooted closer to Gale.

"Just ignore him." Gale whispered to her.

"Hard to do," she said

"I know but you can't let him get to you." Gale whispered.

"Okay," She said determined

"Good, it will help keep you alive."

"I know," She said

Someone went around and injected them with their trackers. They were all anxious now.

Ermela looked at the window to see whether or not they're getting close. It was completely blacked out.

"We're close," SHe said

"Guess so," Gale said looking at his own.

"We'll be okay right?" Ermela asked

"Yes we will," Gale promised.

"Okay, just one more thing," She said as they started to get off the hovercraft.

"Which is?" Gale asked.

She turned and kissed him as passionately as she could. Gale returned it wrapping his arms around her until they were separated by the Peacekeepers.

"I had to do that at least once, not for the camera's and just in case," She said before she was dragged away.

Gale sighed as he was taken to his launch room.

Where he found Cinna waiting

"This is getting out of hand." Gale said with his hand to his mouth.

"What?" Cinna asked

Gale sighed and explained to him what just happened.

"Oh, well what's the problem? You said you did not like her that way," He said

"I know, but I'm worried it's starting to feel that way to her," Gale sighed, "and I'm okay with that and I am not okay with that."

"You think you love her as well?" Cinna asked

"I don't know. I mean I'm in love Katniss. That I know for sure."

"But you think your falling for her too?" Cinna asked

"I just said I don't know."

"Well then I have no advice there, none that you will want to hear," He said

"Then tell me what I don't want to hear," Gale said.

"There is an old saying from the society before ours, If you love someone and then you fall for someone else, go with the second person, because you mever would have fallen for them if you truly loved the first person," Cinna said.

Gale thought about it then sighed, "Well, I guess that makes sense."

"Yeah, it'll be hard, but that is how I see it," Cinna said.

"I don't want to leave Catnip though. I barely just got her."

"Some things just aren't meant to be even if we want them to be," He said

"Well, now there's no way Ermela and I could ever actually be." Gale reminded. "Each other's survival means our own deaths and there is no way to side step that."

"Yes, but you have other concerns for now," Cinna said.

"Like what?" Gale asked

"Getting through these games," He said

"Which is what I was just talking about." Gale sighed.

"Alright, fine just see how you feel when they are over," Cinna said.

"I know," Gale sighed.

"Good," Cinna said helping him into new clothes

They were the same clothes in the canon for the seventy-fourth games so there's no reason to describe them.

"Your going to win," Cinna said.

"My other younger brother, Vick. Told me to say hello to dad for him." Gale said with a sigh being the first time he told anyone that. "Our dad has been dead for five years."

"Well then you won't get to tell him hello will you?" Cinna said simply.

"Not any time soon anyways." Gale said with a shrug.

"Exactly," Cinna said.

Gale nodded, "He's the only one who thinks I wont."

"Maybe he just needs time?" Cinna suggested.

"I guess." Gale nodded. "That really hurt though."

"I'm sure he was not trying to hurt you," Cinna said

"I know that."

"Did it make you want to win?" Cinna asked.

"I wanted to before that."

"Did it make you want to win more?" He asked

Gale thought about it, "I guess it did."

"Maybe your brother just outsmarted you," Cinna said smirking

"Well, maybe."

Then a voice told tributes to get in their pods.

"Good luck," Cinna said as Gale got on his.

"Thank you," Gale said as he started moving upwards.

He put on a brave face as her rose up in the darkness towards the arena. Just as in canon, he found a lake to his right, nothing in front of him, a feild to his left, and much to his relief, a forest behing him.

'Good I stand a better chance,' He thought

Remembering Haymitch's orders, he scanned the supplies for the weapons the two of them could use. He spotted one bow with a quiver of arrows and quite a few spears and the snares her could pretty much find the stuff for in the forest but rope or wire which would be hidden in some but not all of those backpacks.

He knew he would have to make a dash for the choice backs and weapons.

'I can do this.' He told himself eyeing the bow since that he'd have to get first seeing as there's only one as he listened to the count down waiting for the gong to go off.

"5...4...3.." The count down continued as they all felt their heart rates go up.

"2..." On her platform Ermela was preparing to dash for the packs.

"1..." The gong went off

Gale took a full sprint over towards the bow and arrows.

He had just grabbed them when a knife whizzed past his ear.

He notched an arrow and turned to the person who through the knife.

He was surprised to see not Cato, but the girl from nine.

"There's no difference," Gale muttered to himself and released the arrow.

It flew and hit her in the throat. So he grabbed some spears and headed over to Ermela.

Who was picking several black backpacks.

He handed her the spears.

"Thanks," She said handing him to backpacks.

"Think we should head out." She said staying on gaurd for other tributes.

"I agree," Gale said grabbing a three person tent as they set out.

They ran into the forest bein the obvious answer. They continued to run until they were several yards in.

They had slowed down to a walk when the cannons started to go off.

"Nine," Gale sighed.

"Then because of the Careers besides Cato being taking out we started of with 19. That only leaves ten tributes left." Ermela calculated.

"Yeah cut down fast," Gale said

"Cato's undoubtedly one of the ten though." Ermela added with a sigh.

"Of course," Gale said

Ermela sat down some of the packs and started looking through them.

"We have food and some water containers," She said

"The containers are empty though but we have some iodine and a spool of wire." She said tossed the wire to him.

"I can use this," Gale said.

"Figured, that's why I tossed it to you."

"Well do we head in more?" He asked

"Might be a good idea. We have to find water anyways." Ermela said picking up the bags.

"Yeah," Gale said pulling on one of the packs.

"Shouldn't you set up a few traps?" Ermela asked.

"Yes, are you willing to give up a spear?" He asked

Ermela looked at her collection then handed him one.

"Thanks," He said setting to work.

"You're welcome," She asked watching honestly impressed with his handy work.

"There we are," Gale said happy with this trap.

He had disguised it to pretty much be invisible. "Just remember where it is." He told her.

She nodded as they set off again. They kept their eyes out for any source of water as they walked.

"Do you hear that?" Gale asked stopping her.

She fell completely silent and just listened.

"Running water?" She asked.

"No, that is someone releaving themselves on a tree," Gale said

He turned to it with his bow raised, notched, and drawn.

"Just got to find the right spot," He muttered.

He searched around the tree for the source

"I can't see anyone," Gale said.

He released the tension staring up at the tree, "I guess I just might be a little paranoid."

"Maybe," Ermela said carefully.

"Did you see or hear anything?" He asked her.

"Just what you heard, but I can't find the source," She said

"Then we need to move." Gale said seriously knowing that quite literally everything here is out to kill them.

She nodded as they started running again.

What they didn't realize was that what they heard in the tree was none other than Rue.

"Wonder what's wrong with them?" She muttered to herself

She leaped to the next tree heading towards them.

Meanwhile Gale and Ermela stopped panting figure they were far enough away.

"I think we lost it." Gale panted.

"Nope," Said a sweet voice from the tree's

Ermela looked over this time actually seeing her with a chuckle, "Oh, it's just Rue."

"Hi," She said coming down, but staying a safe distance from them.

"It's okay, we won't hurt you." Gale encouraged.

"Really?" She asked

"Really, maybe you could ally with us." Gale suggested.

"I would like that," She said smiling.

"Then come over," Gale encouraged.

She carefully made her way over.

"How did you get over her like that?" Gale asked.

"I'm quick, and I worked as a look out in the fields back home," Rue said

"Well, that'll really come in handy." Ermela noted.

"Yes it will," Gale said

Rue shrugged, "As I told Caesar, 'if they can't catch me, they can't kill me.'"

"Very true," Gale said.

"We'll be unbeatable." Ermela smirked.

"Hopefully," Gale said

"Do you guys have a plan for Cato?" Rue

"Now we are trying to figure one out," Gale said

"Oh," Rue said trying to think of something, "Well, what are your strengths?"

"Traps," Gale said

"Reflexes," Ermela said, "and He's also good with a bow and arrow, he just won't say "

"Well then why not trap him?" Rue asked.

"That might " Gale said thinking

"Yeah if we can lure him in," Ermela said

"I only have one idea to do that and that's risky," Ermela added.

"Tell us," Gale said.

"Well, what's the one thing Cato would most likely take as bait right now?" Ermela reminded .

"You?" Rue asked.

"Exactly," Ermela nodded.

"So you want to be bait?" Gale asked

"It could work . I'd just have to lead him to one of your snares ."

"I suppose," He said nervously

"Are you sure you could do it?" He asked.

"I think I can," She said

"I'll set one a lot closer to the Cornucopia then . That way he's less likely to catch you ." Gale sighed .

"Okay," She said

So, they started to head back . "You didn't happen to find some water did you, Rue?" Ermela asked hopefully .

"No, not yet," Rue said

"Well, if we get rid of Cato we could get at that lake ." Ermela pointed out.

"That, would be nice," Gale said

Ermela nodded, "Not just that but everything left in the Cornucopia."

"That would give us a huge advantage," Gale said.

"Exactly, we just have to pull it off," Ermela said confidently .

"If we can," Rue said.

"Right," Ermela sighed.

"We can," Gale said

"I just need to get him to chase be and go along the edge of one of them . They're practically invisible and he's bigger than me so he'd fall right into it ."

"Okay," Ermela said.

"That sounds simple," Rue said

"It is, basically," Ermela.

"Just dangerous," Gale said.

"I'll be careful ." Ermela promised .

"Then lets get to work," Gale said.

They continued making their way back towards the Cornucopia where Cato undoubtedly is stationed.

"Alright, now we stay quiet," Gale said

They did as Gale uncoiled some of the wire and set to work.

"Okay, this should work," Gale said.

Ermela nodded and gulped turning towards where the Cornucopia was.

"Are sure you want to do this?" Rue asked

"Yes," Ermela said knowing it had to be her.

"Okay, if your sure," Rue said

"We don't really have any other choices," Ermela pointed out .

"I could go," She offered.

"He might not follow you," Ermela said . "He couldn't pass up the opportunity to catch his main target ."

"I guess," She said feeling

"I'll be careful. We just need a way to stop him from getting suspicious."

"Make it look like s supply hunt?" Rue asked

"Alright, I can do that." Ermela nodded.

"Good," Rue said.

"Is the trap ready?" Ermela asked memorizing the EXACT location.

"Yeah, it's ready," Gale said.

"Alright, then hide." Ermela said to them.

They nodded and hide as well as they could. Ermela took a deep breath and 'snuck' into the clearing the Cornucopia is in. She crept over to the Cornucopia.

Surprised to make it that far. She grabbed a metal pot then spotted Cato. Who spotted her as well and his face split into a maniacal grin. Ermela gulped looking terrified then ran towards the trap but Cato didn't know that.

He sprinted after her.

She ran as fast as she can hoping he wouldn't be faster as the spot she knew the snare to be came into view her mind traced the outline and she knew it had to be exactly right. She tripped when almost there and felt a pain in her ankle.

She did manage to make the last few steps past the snare though before she fell. Cato smiled and sped up.

However, just as he was right there ready to deliver the final blow, the snare sprung to life and left her hanging humorously from the tree by his ankle.

"What the hell is this?" He asked

"That is a snare." Gale said coming out of his hiding spot with his bow drawn. "Better known as a trap, and you took the bait so blindly it was almost too easy."

Cato's eyes bulged.

"I should have seen it coming," He said bitterly.

Gale shook his head, "You couldn't let Ermela get away so you couldn't have. The only reason Ermela was able to avoid it was because so was there when I set it and simply memorized it's location."

"Impressive," Cato said struggling to get down.

"Think I should just shoot him now or let him be humiliated for a while?" Gale asked Ermela then noticed how swollen her ankle was getting.

"Ermela! Rue can you check her out please?" He asked.

Rue came out of her hiding spot and started examining Ermela's ankle as Gale turned his attention back to Cato who was still struggingly to unensnare himself.

"Give it up," Gale said simply

Cato stoppd struggling and noticed the bow in Gale's hands, "Do you even know how to use the weapon, Boy?"

"Yes, and we are the same age, you can't call me boy," Gale said

Cato ignored that comment and raised an eyebrow, "And where did you learn how to shoot a bow and arrow in Distict 12?"

"I learned in training," Gale lied easily.

Cato seemed very skeptical having not seen him over there but decided not to question it.

"Now if there are no further questions?" Gale asked

Then have any questions but one more thing escaped his lips as he glared coldly, "Go to hell."

"I probably will after all this, see you there," Gale said shooting Cato through the eye.

A cannon fired signifying Cato's death. "Gale, I think she might have twisted her ankle." Rue warned him.

"Alright, lets get her to the Cornucopia," Gale said

He went over to the side that had the injured ankle and helped her up to her feet.

"Thanks," She said.

He supported both sides and slowly but surely got her to the Cornucopia. As they moved though he could not help but think up how easy targets they are at the moment.

He got her inside followed by Rue.

"Do you know anything on what to do?" Gale asked Rue unsure.

"Wrap it, and keep her off it for a few hours," Rue said

Gale nodded and searched the supplies for a first aid kit. Which he found in the second pack he looked through.

"Got some bandages." He said and started to wrap it up.

"You're also going to want to keep it elevated to reduce swelling," Rue advised.

"Okay," He said.

He took one of the packs and gently put it under the ankle.

"Thanks and sorry," She said

"For what?" He asked.

"Being useless," She said

"That's not your fault." Gale said. "You got injured. It could have happened to anyone."

"Still I should have been more careful," She said

"I don't blame you, Ermela. Rue, could you go fill this up from the lake?" Gale asked giving her an empty water bottle.

She nodded and set out.

"I just barely made it. If I was even a step earlier I would have been a goner." Ermela paled.

"Your not though," Gale said

"I'm so vulnerable right now though." She said glaring at her ankle.

"Well you only need to stay off it for a few hours," He said

"Are you sure?" She asked looked at it.

"That's what Rue said,"

"Well, I hope she's right." Ermela said as Rue returned with the water.

"I am," Rue said

"Wouldn't I still be very slow then?" Ermela asked.

"For a bit yeah unless a sponsor sends a splint," Rue said

"I quess it's possible this early." Ermela said.

"Haymitch anything you can do?" Gale asked the sky.

Back in the Capitol, Haymitch was looking through what they had in the account and how much it would cost on day one. Luckily, this hadn't happened later on.

"One splint that will feel like she does not have it, perfect," He said ordering it.

Over near the arena the suppliers got the order prepared the package and dropped it so it parachuted down to land near Gale.

Gale got the paracute with a smile, "Thank you, Haymitch." He said and hurried it over to Ermela.

"Thanks Haymitch," She called.

"So, do you put this on now?" Ermela asked.

"Wait for the swelling to go down first," Rue said

"Okay," Ermela sighed glaring at her ankle.

"Don't beat yourself up," Rue said.

"I feel so helpless right now."

"I know, but anger won't make it heal any faster," Rue said.

"I guess not." Ermela sighed.

"Good now rest," Rue order her.

Ermela laid down keeping her foot up absolutely hating this.

"And stop moping," Rue said.

"No," Ermela said stubbornly.

"Yes, Ermela it'll just get you killed here," Rue said.

"I guess," Ermela sighed, "but how?"

"Sleep," Rue said

Ermela closed her eyes glad that she at least has Gale and Rue. She had to make it up to them, though.

"That's better," Rue said.

A/N: Review and flames are welcome.