A/N There's more talking and general sassiness in this chapter, so beware.. *smirks*

Things were starting to warm up between me and Katniss before I spluttered the 'I love you'. After I said it I immediately rushed to my room before she can say anything and also to hide from embarrassment. I can maybe make up an excuse saying something like I was thinking of Posy or something but Katniss would know that I am lying. I mean she knows me better than anyone else.

I am so glad that today is Monday, so I can go to work and not have to face her. Thankfully Katniss is not awake yet. It is going to be so awkward between us. I don't want it to be awkward. Ugh, I hate myself.

~ooOOoo~

Today is a normal type of day at work. No missions, just some training and meetings and file sorting. When it is nearing the end of the day, Preston calls me into his office which is around 5 times bigger than mine and is the size of what used to be my home in District 12 before it got burned down. When I walk in, his face is stern. This is very unusual since Preston is always happy-go-lucky and I immediately think 'what did I do wrong?'.

I sit on the chair opposite and he begins talking immediately.

"I have a very special mission for you, Hawthorne. But it will take time." Preston says sternly. I need to keep my laughs in because it is so ridiculous seeing him all serious. I remember the first time I was introduced to him and he was basically jumping around like a 5 year old.

"It sounds intriguing, Preston." I say.

"We are led to believe that there is a secret organization consisting of previous Capitol soldiers who have either escaped prison or disguised themselves as innocent. The attack on that train, it was no coincidence. It was no coincidence that I was in that train with Katniss and it just happened to be the one that they were in there. It was all planned down. Other district representatives have reported some other cases which were similar to this; people who were significant to the rebellion have either been attacked or kidnapped." Preston says slowly, so I can take it all in.

"And..and you want me to track them down?" I say, even though it is pretty obvious that I will.

"You. And maybe some other people. But mainly you. I've already set up a research team for this mission so you're kinda in for the action part."

"Hmm.. Okay, so you don't think I'm smart enough to track them down? Am I just there for the attacks and stuff?" I say, since I am pretty offended. He's basically saying that I am the one to do the stunts whilst the others use their brains.

"No. Not because of that, I just don't want to waste time. I'm not saying that you can't help with the tracking down, but you will have a whole team to help you so you are not overwhelmed." Preston says. I'm still offended but I let it go. There's no use arguing since he has already set up the team.

"Sure, I'll do it." I mean what harm could it be? Wait, no. It is dangerous but it really is not much different than my usual missions.

"No. I want you to think about it. Inform your mother. I really want you to think about since this is probably your biggest assignment as of yet. It may sounds easy, but it isn't."

"I think I'm old enough to make decisions without asking my mother, but sure. I'll think about it. But the answer will always be yes." I confess.

~ooOOoo~

Once I get home I explain everything to my mother. Of course she is supportive since she doesn't want more people to get hurt. It's actually my siblings who are worried.

"No, Gale! You're gonna get hurt! Stay here, please?" Vick pleads.
"No, Gayul! Who's gonna play with me if you go?" Posy cries, since I am probably not going to be in this district during the mission.
"Yeah, Gale. You shouldn't go." Rory mutters, this is one of the only times he has spoken to me.
"How are we gonna know how you are? If you're safe?" Vick begs again.

"It's going to be okay, guys! It's just a normal mission, but I'm just not going to be home." I say, trying to persuade them.

"Maybe I should go too, for help." Katniss mutters. That's the first thing she says to me since you-know-what happened. I am beyond shocked. She's just a frail and fragile girl.

"Are you crazy Katniss? These guys are ruthless! You can't go fighting them! They will hate you especially!" I shriek. From the corner of my eye, I see my mother ushering the kids out of the living room so I can talk/yell to Katniss privately.

"I have survived 2 Hunger Games, a war and the death of my loved ones! Don't you think I can do this? This is how I will pay back the ones I've killed! I owe them so much!" She yells back. God, we probably sound like an old married couple. We might as well be, for how long we've known each other.

I just stand there, silently. Because I don't know what to say. All these points she's making, they are absolutely true.

"What else is there to do for me at home, Gale? Just staying in front of my fireplace in my pajamas and sulking? I have nothing to do! Absolutely nothing!" She says, quietly and slowly because she knows that will make more of an impact.

Right then, I know I've lost the argument. I also know that she's a stubborn little girl who always gets what she wants.

"Fine. But I don't know if Preston will agree." I respond.

"He will. You know that I was stuck in a stuffy little cupboard with him for more than an hour, right? He's not a complete stranger to me."

Will this bring me closer or further away from Katniss?

A/N Did I just turn this into an action fic? I think I did. I just finished reading Divergent so it really inspired me to do this (with Tris and Four's relationship and everything). I had two options: to make Gale and Katniss fall in love with lots of fluff and unrealisticness, or this (spoiler alert: they'll still fall in love)

As always, Fav/Follow/Review!

(I'm going on holiday so Tuesday's chapter will be delayed. (Chapters will come out on Tuesdays and Fridays from now on, if I can keep to the schedule :P))