A/N: WELL, that didn't work XD

I spent like a two-week vacation from this story so I could get ahead in my writing and I'm only like, one chapter ahead. Oh, well ^^; Normally I'm on the ball about this stuff, but I got slapped in the face with a super busy work week and barely any warning. But hey; I'm here now, right? ...Right, guys? *crickets*

Um..*ahem*, anyway...

Here's another chapter :)

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.

Chapter 16: Still Hope Yet~

When Gale reached the shelter, Katniss wasn't there. He searched the seemingly endless bodies three times over with no luck. And he sure as Hell wasn't about to ask Aunt Effie for directions. Finally deciding to give up another sweep of the same faces, Gale slipped out through a pair of open double-doors to go look for his friend.

He looked toward the playground, the swing sets, and the open field before him, finding no one resembling in the slightest whom he was looking for. It was when he look in the other direction that he found her. Katniss was sitting in one of the camping chairs near the parking lot, chatting happily to...ugh, Peeta. They sat across from each other in the circle of seats, nearly every one of which was taken. Talking it up like the best of friends.

Well, not for long.

Without further consideration, Gale made purposeful steps toward the two young teenagers, dodging people and pets and little kids on scooters as he did so. He finally came to stand at the arm of Katniss' chair, and she laughed over something Peeta had said before turning her attention to him. She smiled up at him, though she didn't look quite pleased to see him. Maybe it was because of the tightness of his expression or the rigidness of his shoulders. Or maybe it was because of his poor attempts at reigning in the obvious discomfort rolling off him in waves, but either way, Gale didn't really care at the moment.

Katniss spoke first. "Hey. What's up?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but was beat to the punch by a worn, gravelly voice.

"Who's that?"

Katniss turned in her seat, and Gale followed her gaze to the man sitting next to her. It was that blond guy that was taking care of Peeta. Mitch? Mitchel?

"Oh, this is Gale, uncle Haymitch."

Haymitch! That was it.

Haymitch leaned over in his seat to gaze past his niece's head and get a better look at Gale. He looked him over disapprovingly (if not uninterestedly) before shaking his head slightly and slouching back in his seat.

"He your boyfriend or something?" He asked, taking a swig of beer.

Gale couldn't see her face, but judging by the way her body jerked as though struck by lightning, he guessed Katniss was shocked beyond all reason at the very notion of being romantically involved with him. How encouraging.

"W-what? No! No. He's...he's just a friend, uncle Haymitch."

Haymitch took another sip of his drink. He scoffed. "Whatever, Sweetheart. Just say the word. I'll kick his ass if you need me to."

Katniss turned away from her uncle, blinking furiously as a blush rose to her cheeks. Gale watched, amused, as she stared at the ground, and then at her feet, and then back again. He began to smile. She was cute on the rare occasions that she did that.

...

Wait a minute.

They were friends. Friends didn't blush. Especially not about each other.

Maybe there was still hope for him yet.

A/N: This chapter was gonna be a bit longer but I cut if off here :P

Anyway, don't worry about the updates. I'm still gonna try and type like, every day. Or every other day. Whenever I've got time. Which should be a lot because I think my work load is gradually slowing down.

I think. Lol XD

'Til next time! :)