“I must still look perplexed because Gale delivers the next line very slowly. “Katniss…he’s still trying to keep you alive.” To keep me alive? And then I understand. The Games are still on.”

“Katniss....he's still trying to keep you alive.”

“Katniss," Gale says softly.I recognize that voice. It's the same one he uses to approach wounded animals before he delivers a deathblow. I Instinctively raise my hand to block his words but he catches it and holds on tightly.Don't," I whisper.But Gale is not one to keep secrets from me.Katniss, There is no District Twelve.”

“As we ride the elevator Gale finally says “You're still angry.”“And you're still not sorry,” I reply."I will stand by what I said. Do you want me to lie about it?” he asks.“No, I want you to rethink it and come up with the right opinion,” I tell him.”

“I look coolly in to the blue eyes of the person who is now my greatest opponent, the person who would keep me alive at his own expense. And I promise myself I will defeat his plan.”

“Maybe I'll be like the man in the Hanging Tree still waiting for an answer.' Gale who I have never seen cry has tears in his eyes. To keep them from spilling over. I reach forward and press my lips against his. We taste of heat, ashes and misery.”

“You're still trying to protect me. Real or not real," he whispers."Real," I answer. "Because that's what you and I do, protect each other.”