HIII! Next chapter! It's longer, yes, so PLEASE R&R! Thanks for the followers!

The next morning, Gale's arms were wrapped around me. I shuddered. Carefully, I picked up his arms and put them on the bed next to him. His breath was steady and slow. His eyes fluttered but remained closed. I stood and shifted the shirt I was wearing so that it covered at least half of my body. I made my way soundlessly to the kitchen, where I opened the ice-box. Inside were fruit, cow's milk, cream, and many rabbit and dear meets. He must still hunt. I pulled the fruit out and closed the door. An apple. It was waxy.
I knew his job must have paid well, other-wise he wouldn't have moved to two, but honestly, market fruit? Even the mayor of twelve wouldn't be able to afford it. And he was the richest from my district. And actual cow's milk? And cream? I bit into the apple and flavor flooded into my mouth. It was like sugar- crunchy sugar. I walked out of the kitchen and down the hall. I opened the first door.
It was a linen closet, full of sheets, towels, and blankets. He needed and entire room for that? I would be able to sleep in there. I closed that door and moved onto the second.

It was a bathroom, complete with a white bath tub and shower. I closed the door and opening the third. Inside was a large, beautiful room that contained a fluffy white bed, a large television, a dark, wooden dresser, and another white door. Walking over to that, I examined the dresser. Four drawers. I opened the first. Gale's under-garments. Opened the second. Gale's shirts. Third, pants. Fourth, socks and ties. I shut them all softly.
I opened the door to find another closet, but this one was full of suits. There was a mirror on the inside of the door. I walked back to the fold out couch. Gale was standing, ripping the sheets off and folding the mattress back in.

"Why am I here?" I asked caustically.
"Well, good-moorrrniing suuuunshiine!" He said sarcastically.
"I'm serious."
"The mayor felt you were reckless and un-safe, and was going to request you being locked up. He said you needed a guardian and your mother was known only too well for being distant so he called me. He told me to help you reach mental stability," he said matter-o-factly, stifling a laugh. I socked him in the arm. Good-ol' Katniss can take a joke.
"What about my boy?"
"The mayor and Hazelle are caring for him. You can have him if you are 'mentally stable' for three months, my confirmation, and then agree to find a second guardian to care for him with. Then you will once more have custody."
I sat at a bar-chair that was at the side of the kitchen. Dear god. I hadn't even freaked out that much, as far as I remembered.
"How long had I been out?"
"Two weeks. They continuously drugged you. Sometimes you woke up and started freaking out on the train. The medicals told me it was funny."
I felt the urge to punch him again. He bothered me so much.
"Katniss, you know I'm sorry…"
"You can't think that'll be enough," I said defensively. I stood and walked up to his, standing under his face, close enough to smell his breath. He looked down at me sadly. "Gale, I can't do that. You abandoned Hazelle. Your own mother! You killed my sister and expect me to forgive you right after the man you've been trying to steal me from was murdered. You know I loved him! I-"

Then his lips fell against mine moving fiercely. He put one hand on my back and held the other to my cheek, stroking it with his thumb. I put my hands on his shoulders trying to push him away but he held me against him firmly. He had obviously done this before. Even after the long years apart, his toned body was still familiar to me. I almost caved to his apologies. But then the thought of Prim and Mason and Sara fell into my mind and I managed to turn my head away. I ran to the bathroom and slammed the door, leaning against it, sobbing. As much as I wanted to forgive him, I couldn't.

It felt like I had been in there for hours. I was no longer crying but was hiding away, not wanting to show my emotions to anyone anymore. I knew Gale was still in the building- I could smell cooking. But that wouldn't make me come out. I didn't want to see his face. I didn't want to be faced again with apologies and decisions. So after the time I had spent sitting, I tried the window. Locked. From the outside. Looking out, there wasn't a house for miles.
There was a knock on the door.
"Catnip, please come out. I'm sorry for kissing you."
Yet another apology. I had no reply.
"Katniss come on. We can go hunting. You me and our bows. I made sure they brought yours from 12." Silence. "Katniss please- what else do you want me to do? Anything I've ever done to upset you, I'm sorry. But you have to think about how much you hurt me when you chose him. I'm not saying that Prim's death was purposeful, but however much it killed you inside, however much you suffered from that, it hurt me just the same to lose you."
I was crying again. I heard his footsteps walk away.
"Food's on the table!" He yelled, then I heard the door slam. My door opened and I ventured to the kitchen, drinking in the smell. He had cooked lamb in a mint leaf sauce. There was yellow rice in one bowl and fresh black berries in another. I ate it all- fast. Then I sunk into his couch and clicked on the television.
In a long while, the door opened and Gale tripped in. I stood and helped him up. He didn't smell unlike Haymitch- in other words, he was wasted. I helped him to his bed and gave his some bread. He ate it and rolled off the mattress. I helped him back into it while he rambled on about his past decisions. Then, among the mumbling and slurs, I heard three words. I walked out of the room and sat on the couch, the television still on but sounding for no one. I began to cry. He had said, after everything we had gone through, those three words every girl wishes to hear. He said, "I love you."