Disclaimer:The Hunger Games Trilogy and its characters purely belong to Suzanne Collins.

Summary:Katniss Everdeen takes her sister's place as a tribute for the 74th Hunger Games. Gale Hawthorne, her best friend, is the male tribute who will go along with her to fight in the arena. They fall in love. Can their love save them from the Games and from the upcoming war? Will their love for each other finally bring down the Capitol?

Warnings: Well this is the Hunger Games, there will be violence. Also, sexual themes.

Pairings: Gale/Katniss only for the time being ^_^

Star-crossed Lovers

Chapter One: Train Ride

"Catnip…" I turn towards the source of the voice. I see my best friend for four years standing a few feet away from me. I can see the tired look in his eyes but I guess I'm not the only who can't sleep tonight no matter how lonely and tired I am. The train we are in jerks a little and I have to steady myself for a moment.

"Can't sleep too?" I look back to the window and I feel him move close in on me. Who would have thought that the both of us will be tributes for the Games when we just spent this morning together in the forbidden forest of District 12? We were happy just hours ago but now… It seems like that moment happened in another lifetime.

"I can't sleep. I… I'm thinking about a number of things… Home… our families… y–", I wonder why he stopped. There is silence for a moment. I'm waiting for him to finish what he was saying but after a few moments I realize he won't finish it. I look at him. His head is casted down and his hands are balled into fists. I know what he is thinking. It's what I'm thinking too. How will our families survive while we're fighting for our survival in the arena? Though we still have a little piece of hope, the baker we sometimes sell squirrels to visit me at the Justice Building early this afternoon to give me cookies and to show his support for me. His youngest son visited me as well. His name is Peeta Mellark and he promised me that he will help our families out.

"The baker…" I see Gale look up to see my face. "The baker and his youngest son paid me a visit at the Justice Building a while ago." I see the confusion written all over Gale's face. Of course he'll be confused and surprised about that. We don't have any close relations to the Mellarks.

"Why? What did they say?", he asks me. I lean against the wall and wrap my arms around myself. This night seems colder than what I think it should be.

"Mr. Mellark gave me cookies. I keep them in my room. Maybe we can eat them together later since I guess we both don't have any plans to sleep." I give him a small smile. He just nods a little but the way his brows are still knitted together in confusion tells me that giving me cookies does not really explain why he would visit me.

"He said he knew my Mom back in her apothecary days and he promised me that he will not let our families starve to death." I watch Gale's gray eyes widened in shock. I almost laugh. It's not every day that you can see Gale Hawthorne this surprised. After a while, I see a small tinge of relief in his features. I open my mouth to speak.

"Madge visited me", he says at the same time as I did. This is my turn to be surprised. Madge Undersee? There was just this bad atmosphere between them this morning when we delivered strawberries for her father, the Mayor of District 12. So it's hard for me to imagine that Madge would visit him. As for me, I'm kind of friends with Madge.

"She gave me a gold mockingjay pin. She says it's a token of our District and a lucky charm. Did she give you anything?" I ask. Curiosity fills me right now. He just shakes his head as a "no".

"She didn't. She just wished that the odds will be in our favor then she gave me a hug… She also said that she along with her family will help out our families while we're away", Gale explains to me. I feel warmth spreading across my chest. There are actually people who care… Our families are in good hands. But… for how long will they be there to help them? Gale and I… There's a high possibility that we won't be able to return home… The reality that one… only one of us will be able to return home.

I didn't realize I'm shaking until Gale's warm hand envelopes mine. I look into his eyes and I see my own pain and sadness reflected from those gray eyes of his.

"We taught Rory how to hunt… He's capable… I know he'll be able t–", Gale tries to sound optimistic but my tears are already rolling down my cheeks. We will die. I cannot bear the thought that Prim and my mother might starve to death once I'm gone. I can try to win and be the Victor… I can ensure the security of my family and Gale's but no… I think I'll die first before I let myself kill him or let anyone else kill him. I'd rather die with him. I'm so sorry, Prim. But I just can't…

Gale pulls me in a tight embrace and I let go completely. I let my tears stream down my face like waterfalls. My sobs are so loud that it will be no wonder if Effie Trinket and Haymitch Abernathy will be woken up by the sound of it. Gale rubs his hands on my back.

"Shushhh… Catnip. You won't die. You will win. And you will return home…", My eyes widen. No… No! He's not thinking about keeping me alive in the arena! He should not be thinking like that! He should not do it! I push him away and look up in his eyes.

"N-No, Gale…" I croak out. His hand reaches up and wipes the tears off of my face. There's sadness in his features but to my horror there's determination… pure determination in his eyes. He's serious about it. He… H-He… He will die for me. My mind goes blank at the thought. I watch his lips move but I cannot hear what he is saying. I just stare at him. My mouth is hanging open. I want to tell him not to do it. But words can't leave my mouth.

After a while, he shakes me and there's an agitated look on his face. "Listen to me, Katniss!" That snaps me out. I look down for a moment to prepare myself to listen to him.

"I'll have your back in the arena… Just like what we always do in the woods", he says. No, he's lying. Because it will not be like what we always do. "I know we can beat them. I know you can. We know how to hunt. They want a good show. That's all they want. We'll give them a good show. We'll show them how good we are. Then… Then you'll be able to go home." My whole body becomes cold. No, I cannot accept anything he says. Why is he making plans for my survival? Why?... Why can't he just think of himself?

"No… No, Gale." He grabs my shoulders and shakes me a little.

"Katniss… You need to return home! Prim… your mother. They need you!" This is the first time he raised his voice at me. My tears can't stop from falling. I feel so weak but if he's going to knock some sense into my head then I'll knock some into his as well. I grab onto his arms and give him a determined and hard look.

"What about you?... What about you huh, Gale? You have three younger siblings! Three! And your mother! What will happen to them if you go along with your little heroic plan?" I scream at his face. His face hardens.

"You won't let them down. I know you won't", he firmly says. I press my hands against his chest before pushing him away as hard as I can.

"I won't! Of course I won't! But… B-But… But do you think I can face them without you? Do you think I can go home without you? I can't! I can't go home without you! I won't be going home without you!" A hiccup escapes my throat and it's followed by another and another. My chest hurts. I've been crying so much. But I can't help it. This… This is just too much for me to bear.

"You… You deserve to go home more than I…" I manage to say in a not too shaky voice. But my whole body is trembling. "I'll feel better if you… if y-you're the one who can go home." He slams his fist against the wall making me jump.

"No, Katniss… You don't know what you're saying…" He is gritting his teeth. I have this feeling that he might slam me onto the wall just to get his thoughts through me.

"You won't die in that fucking arena, do you hear me?" I swallow even if it's hard for me to do so. His eyes look dangerous and murderous.

"You won't die. I won't let you die. I won't let anyone kill you in that arena… I won't let you die even if you want to! You will go home. You need to return home to our families and that is final!" I feel anger flare up within me. I move close to him and hit his chest with my small fists.

"Who are you to decide for me? Mind your life! Don't bother with me! I don't need you to decide for me! I don't need you to protect me, Gale!" I keep on hitting him hoping that if I hurt him enough physically he will understand that I cannot accept his plan no matter what.

"You… You try your best to win… I'll do my best as well. But… I… I'd rather…" I look into his eyes again. My hands clutch on the fabric of his shirt. My heart is beating so fast. I stare at his face. Putting into memory his dark and thick brows, the strong defined lines of his jaw, his perfect nose, those lips, and those gentle gray eyes I've known for years. A sob escapes my lips… The days that I will be able to see his face is already numbered the moment I stepped up to take Prim's place in the 74th Hunger Games.

There's this feeling… this strong feeling in my chest. I don't know what it is but it yearns for me to let it free. I've always like Gale. But I made it a promise to myself that I will not fall in love and I will not bring forth more unfortunate children into this world for the Capitol to reap for their bloody Games.

I look at my hands clutching on his shirt. I can feel the loud and strong beating of his heart. I want… no I need this heart to continue beating. I will do anything for this heart to continue beating. I will do anything for him to survive… to continue living even if I'm not there anymore.

"Gale… I… I-I…" I search his eyes to read his emotions but all I can see is determination and hope. "I… I'd rather die with you in the arena… than go home without you." It's final for me. If his decision is final as well then I don't care. We will fight to keep the other alive. But eventually one of us will fall. It sounds unreasonable. It sounds mad. But I'll take my own life if he falls first in the arena. It's mad. But what is driving me to think of such mad thoughts? I know I care so much for Gale. But I also know that there is more to this. There is more. There is something deeper within me that drive me to do this. What is it?

I watch him take deep breaths. He's probably still processing my words. "I don't want you to die, Catnip… I can't bear the thought of it." His voice sounds strained and in pain.

"Same here…" I whisper and wipe my tears with the back of my hand but they keep on falling anyway. I let his shirt go and turn to open the door of my quarters when he grabs my arm and slams me hard against the wall next to the door of my room.

"Gale, wha–", I never get to finish my sentence. My back aches but his lips are now pressed against mine, making me forget about the little pain.

It's my first kiss. I have no idea how it should be done or how it should feel. But I just press myself harder against his body. My arms wrap around his neck pulling him closer. I want him as close as possible. A first kiss maybe should be gentle and sweet to make it perfect. But Gale is kissing me desperately right now and it's perfect because I'm desperate too. His lips are so warm and it makes me feel like I cannot breathe without him.

He pulls away to breathe and I look at him with half-lidded eyes. My mind is foggy because of the kiss. My lips tingle for him to kiss me again. He just watches me and I can't take it anymore. If he won't move… then I will. I place my lips on his again and soon enough he returns my gentle kiss with such force. I find myself getting pressed harder on the wall and Gale's hands begin to wander on my body.

My breathing hitches when his left hand grasps the skirt of the blue dress I'm wearing then he pushes it up. I gasp when he wedges his knee in between my thighs, pushing them apart. I hold onto him tightly as he hoists me up. He releases my lips much to my displeasure. He is breathing heavily just like me. He presses his forehead against mine and I move to kiss him. He kisses me back shortly before pulling away again. Our eyes meet. He reaches up and caresses my face with his right hand.

"Catnip…" He whispers and it sounds like music to my ears. "I want to be with you…" He successfully gets his thought across by running his hand over my right thigh. Shivers run down my spine. Am I ready? I ask myself. His warmth sends my whole body on fire. I want him. I want to be with Gale as well. But I… I'm just sixteen… I…

"Gale… I… I'm… I'm not ready yet…" I expect disappointment to fill his features but he only smiles at me. He kisses the tip of my nose then my forehead.

"We'll worry about tomorrow later… Let's get some sleep for now." He tells me before carrying me into my room.

He places me on the soft bed and tucks me in. He places a soft kiss on my forehead then wishes me goodnight before turning to leave. I get a hold of his wrist. He turns back to me. I feel heat spreading over my cheeks… but I don't really think I'll be able to sleep tonight... without him.

"Stay with me…" He didn't say anything. He just slips next to me under the covers and I quickly cuddle with him. I hold him close, taking in his scent. The scent of home. And I feel safe.

The next morning, I wake up to see Gale sleeping soundly next to me. The proximity of his face to mine makes my heart beat faster. I move to sit up but his arms just lock more securely around me as a reflex. I soon give up the fight and just lie there watching the rise and fall of his chest as he breathes. I remember the kiss… the kisses last night. My eyes get drawn to his lips and before I realize what I'm doing I move closer to Gale and lean in to kiss him when my door slams open.

"Big! Big! Big d–! What… What is this?" At my doorway, Effie Trinket stands with her ridiculously looking pink wig. Her eyes are so wide in shock that I can mistake them for saucer plates. I just fake a yawn and stretches out a bit.

"Good morning, Effie." I greet her in a not so happy way. Gale shifts next to me. He soon stirs and wakes up. He sees me and smiles. But before he can do anything that will make the situation worse, he sees Effie and decides to slip off of the bed. Effie looks relieved for the fact that Gale and I are fully clothed.

I watch Gale walk out of my room. Effie gets over her initial shock and runs after him. Maybe she just told him about breakfast or something. She soon returns to my room. She eyes me for a moment before clearing her throat.

"That was quite a surprise. You two seem to be close. That's something new I must say. Anyway, breakfast is ready. Your mentor and I will be waiting for you two at the dining area. I hope you will hurry up. Haymitch for once is sober enough to talk to you guys. That's all." I watch her walk away. I let out a sigh before dragging myself into the bathroom to take a quick shower.

When I set foot in the dining area, Gale is already there sitting across from Haymitch. I take the empty seat between Gale and the window. My eyes then land on Haymitch Abernathy, our mentor. He is the only Victor of District 12. He won in the 50th Hunger Games or much known as the 2nd Quarter Quell. My eyes are glued on him. He is such a heavy drinker and this is actually the first time I see him clean… and sober. He didn't even show up to have dinner with us last night because he got himself too drunk… again.

We start to eat. Only the sounds of our utensils can be heard in the area and the silence suffocates me. I remember my exchange with Gale last night. After I have taken my shower… no matter how much I liked the kisses we have shared, I have to accept the fact that it just made the situation for us more complicated. Today is another day and it means that we are a day closer to the day of our possible deaths. The thought of watching Gale die before my eyes makes my heart ache so much that I can't swallow. I grab the glass of water and drink the water hurriedly. When I'm done, I see Gale looking at me with concern in his eyes.

"Are you alright, Catnip?" He asks me and I just give him a small nod. Gale opens his mouth to speak more but then Haymitch laughs so loud that our attentions are drawn towards him.

I manage to catch Effie looking at him with disgust in her eyes. It takes a while for Haymitch to calm down.

"What's so funny huh?" Gale sounded annoyed when he said that. Haymitch gives him a calculating look.

"I can say that our tributes for this year are very interesting. You guys… are friends. Close friends perhaps… Or even sweethearts." I notice Gale's hands curl into hard fists after Haymitch voiced out his observation. The middle aged man shakes his head. "Seriously… you have a nickname for her. That is very sweet. I wonder if you'll still call her 'Catnip' when the time comes that you have to kill her."

It happened so fast. For a moment Gale was just sitting there next to me then the next thing I know he's on top of the table with his hands grabbing Haymitch's collar. His gray eyes are darkened with the anger he must be feeling. I suddenly fear for what may happen to him. Effie is in shock for the second time today but Haymitch looks calm and collected.

"I'm just stating the truth, kid. The Games is not some kind of tag team tournament. The Games is the kind of game where in there will be one… onlyone last man standing in the arena. Attachments won't really get you anywhere. If you stick together it's good at the start but then it will be a lot harder if it comes down to just the two of you." I understand what Haymitch is saying. But… it hurts. Gale releases Haymitch as he takes calming breaths. He moves back to his chair when Haymitch reaches over and punches Gale squarely on the face, making him fall onto the floor. Effie gasps and stands up from her chair.

I grab the knife for cutting the bread and hold onto it tight. I lock my eyes on Haymitch if he tries something more dangerous against Gale… I'll make sure this knife will find some refuge on some part of his body. I don't care if he is our mentor.

Gale glares up at Haymitch as he wipes the blood trickling down his nose. He lunges at Haymitch. The older man dodges the first punch but Gale kicks him down on the stomach. Haymitch gets up and Gale readies himself to fight back. I don't know what's gotten to our supposed to be mentor but I can't find a valid reason for him to punch Gale out of the blue. I throw the knife at him. He manages to dodge it just in time and the knife lodges itself on the wooden wall right next to Haymitch's face.

"Wh–… What are you guys doing?" I see Effie trying to calm herself. Haymitch retrieves the knife then he looks up to scrutinize Gale and I.

"It seems like I got a pair of fighters this year." He says in an amused and glad tone. I relax my muscles believing that what happened is just a test of our abilities. But I see that Gale still has his guard up. He's always been the cautious one. Our mentor sits back on his chair, playing with the bread knife in his hands.

"Perhaps your attachment to each other can come into use in the arena. I think that you two make a good team." Gale grits his teeth and I move close to him. The blood is still streaming down his nose. I got some tissue and start to dab on his injury as gently as I can.

"You don't know what the two of us can do together." Gale says it like a warning. He says it with such confidence. I feel hope spread over my chest. I'm confident about our abilities together as well. Whenever we hunt, the two of us work as one, move us one, feel as one. We act like we are two beings with one body.

"Then… better. You two can just worry how to kill each other off the moment it comes down to the two of you. But for the beginning of the Games, I guess it will be your advantage if you stick together as long as you can." I hear Haymitch say but most of my attention is on how I can make Gale's nose stop bleeding. I don't really like seeing blood. It makes me sick even if I'm supposed to be a daughter and sister of healers.

"Go back to your seats and tell me what you guys can exactly do…" Haymitch stuffs bread into his mouth. I lead Gale back to his seat though he is still giving Haymitch a death glare. After a moment, neither of us speaks, our mentor grows impatient. "So?" He asks again.

"We can hunt." Gale supplies him the information he needs. "I'm good with snares and knots. Katniss is excellent on bow and arrows." I can see the amusement light up our mentor's gray eyes. "But… we can actually do both since we taught each other how to." The amusement in Haymitch's eyes is replaced with something close to… pity.

"You two know each other like the backs of each other's hands. I know this is complicated for you. It will be very difficult for the both of you. But all I can suggest is… you stick together. This is the best strategy I can offer. Work as a team; forget what bullshit I said earlier. Work as one. I'll figure something more out during training and the actual Games." I wonder if Haymitch had always been this serious in life before he drowned himself in alcohol. We both give him a nod of understanding.

"One more thing… Don't interfere with my drinking and I'll make sure I'll be sober enough for the times needed to be spent on mentoring you both."

I feel Gale creep his hand on mine under the table. I hold onto his hand and give him a small smile. I think we can do this. We just need more faith in each other. For now I don't want to think that one of us will die… I'll just think about it once we're in the arena.

That's it for Chapter 1! I know there's been a number of fics with the idea of having Gale as the male tribute for the 74th Hunger Games instead of Peeta. I just want to give it a shot and I want to write up to Mockingjay. I just thought that it will be really interesting to have Gale in the 3rd Quarter Quell ^_^ Thanks for reading and please do leave some reviews. Thank you!