I recently finished the Hunger Games series and like all of my other fandoms I had to write a fanfiction for the character I fell in love with. This time it happens to be Gale Hawthorne. Just a little upfront information: My new character, Tinka Dawson, took the place of Mags for the Quarter Quell. She won the 73rd Hunger Games. Everything else you need to know you'll read later! Enjoy!

The Lover and the Fighter

Chapter One

My eyes fluttered open and I was in a white-washed room. I looked around and found that I was hooked up to a machine by the needle in my forearm. On my other arm there was a large section covered in white bandaging. There was nothing in the room but medical machines and a chair that was pulled up next to my bed.

The last thing I remembered was traipsing through that God forsaken jungle trying to get as far away as I could before the mist or some other horror appeared, when a metal claw came down and snatched me up. I didn't see anyone's face before a needle was stuck in my arm and I passed out.

An older man walked into my room just as I laid my head back on the pillow, too tired to look at anything else.

"Ah, it's good to see you're awake," the man said, sitting down next to me. "My name is Dr. Finch."

I nodded. "Where am I?"

The doctor was looking over my machines and checking my pulse on my wrist. "I will send someone in a moment who can tell you exactly where you are and why you're here."

He stood again. "You can't tell me where I am?"

Shaking his head, the man left. I watched the door until another man came in and sat down next to my bed. I remembered this man from the training session before the Games when we had our private sessions with the Gamemakers.

"Plutarch Heavensbee, Miss Dawson." The man extended his hand and I shook it weakly.

"Are the one who can tell me where I am and why?" I asked.

Plutarch nodded. "I certainly can." He paused for a moment before continuing. "You are in District 13, the center of the rebellion."

He paused again to let my head wrap around his statement. "District 13? I was under the impression there was no District 13 anymore."

"The people of 13 have rebuilt themselves underground. They are led by President Coin who is leading the rebellion."

"Rebellion?" I had heard the rumors after the 74th Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen had sparked the long since burnt out flame of the rebellion with her berry act.

"There is a fully fledged rebellion. It has become stronger since the Quarter Quell was destroyed."

"Okay. I understand all of that. What I don't understand is why I'm here." I raised an eyebrow.

"Some of the tributes were in our plan before they went into the arena. Finnick was one of them. He wanted us to bring you along as well; he thought you might useful to our cause." He nodded at my bandaged arm. "We took your tracker out."

I didn't have any more questions at that moment so I only nodded.

"I understand that this is a lot to take in. I only hope that as soon as you're feeling up to it you'll let me show you around and give you some more information."

I could only nod. Plutarch stood and left, leaving me alone again in my white room.

Almost a week later I was released by Dr. Finch and I wandered around the underground lair of District 13. There were many people walking purposefully through the corridors and I felt completely out of place. I also had no idea where I was going. I finally wandered into a less busy part of the place where there was hardly anyone.

It eventually became deserted and I began to think I would never be able to find my way back to the other people. A door to my right opened and a boy came out. He was tall with olive skin and dark hair and gray eyes.

He jumped when he saw me and I just looked at him.

"I didn't know you had been released from the hospital," he said, as if he knew me.

"Do I know you?" I asked.

"No, of course you don't. I know you though. You're Tinka Dawson." He smiled at me.

"And do you have a name?" I asked.

He blushed a little bit. "Oh yeah. I'm Gale. Gale Hawthorne." He stretched out an arm and I put my hand in his much larger one. "Actually around here they call me Soldier Hawthorne." He laughed a little at that, but I didn't understand the joke.

"Soldier Hawthorne?" I asked. "Are you a soldier?"

"Everyone is here." He released my hand and it fell back to my side.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that everyone here is trained to fight for the rebel cause." Gale looked a little uncomfortable.

"I see. Well Soldier Hawthorne, I'm a little bit lost as you probably already guessed." I pushed my blond hair behind my shoulder.

He laughed again. "I can help you out." He poked his head back inside the door he had come from. "Hey Beetee I'll be back in a while." He shut the door behind him and began to walk back the way I had come.

Gale led me back through the corridors that I couldn't remember walking in silence.

"So everyone has to have a part in this rebellion?" I asked cautiously.

"I suppose. I haven't seen anyone who doesn't have a part of some kind." Gale shrugged. "It's not so bad. The conditions are better here than they were at home."

"And where is home, Soldier Hawthorne?" I asked.

"It was District 12 before the Capital burned it to the ground. Now I don't have a home."

The sadness in his voice pulled at my heart.

"I'm so sorry," I murmured.

"It's alright. It just makes me want to win against the Capital even more."

We came around a corner and we were back to civilization. "Here you are, Soldier Dawson." He smiled.

However, I didn't find the name funny at all. "Call me Tinka," I said, trying not to sound too harsh.

"Tinka. See you around." Gale turned around and left, going back to his business.

"Miss Dawson! There you are. When I heard you were dismissed I came looking for you. Where did you go?" Plutarch Heavensbee was coming toward me, looking a little ruffled.

"I was just looking around, but I managed to get a little turned around." I gave a small smile.

"No matter, no matter." He took my arm. "How about I'll show you around so you don't get lost."

I nodded and let the man lead me around the underground fortress. He showed me the cafeteria where you got only enough food to keep you going until the next meal. He showed me where I had to put my arm each morning to get my schedule temporarily tattooed on. And he finally showed me my new apartment. There was only one bed and a dresser and a bathroom. It would be very lonely.

"President Coin would like the Tributes to start joining in our meetings at Command as soon as everyone is feeling up to it. Right now we're only waiting on Finnick. He's having a little trouble coming around."

"Will he be alright?" I asked, concerned.

"The doctors assure me that he will make a complete recovery. They suggested that you visit it. It might make him feel more at ease."

"Of course," I agreed.

Just a little starter chapter, but I hope you enjoyed. Please review, no hate comments or flames.

Happy reading,

Avonmora