She was sore when she woke up in the morning next to Gale. Uncomfortable, but manageable. Her senses cleared, and she realized where they were. What had happened. Remembered it all, clear as day, and she turned her head on the pillow to find him still asleep beside her, his arms around her waist and their bodies stark naked. He was warm against her, his sleepy muscles still strong and protecting her from the Capitol buzzing just outside. But a panic stirred inside Katniss, a worry to her eye and the concern crossing her expression as she turned back away from him, weaving their fingers together. She had slept with Gale. They were going into the Arena to die. She said she loved him... Feeling everything ram into her all at once, she gently, tenderly lifted his arm from her body, shifting away from him and pulling back the covers. With all her skin exposed to the cool morning air, she shivered, sitting up and swinging her feet over the side of the bed. She cast a look over her shoulder at her best friend. He looked so peaceful when he was asleep, the crease in his brow disappeared and the tenseness gone from his shoulders. Her gaze softened, then turned solemn. She had to save him. He deserved to get out of here alive. Whatever promises she had made last night, she knew the truth: Gale was the one who had to make it out.

Wincing as she stood, feeling the aftershock still twinge between her legs, she began to dress, wondering how she was going to let this all happen. Let him think she was going to wait for him, how she was going to eventually have to die so he could live. He had a family. He had people who needed him. People who would miss him. And he was golden--with a big heart, compassionate, a gentle giant. They were a team, but the Games wouldn't allow a team to win. It had to be him. It just had to be.

Today, training would begin. Effie would come to wake them up soon, and she knew she couldn't get caught out of bed, much less in Gale's. She lowered herself by the side of the bed, crouching to his level and brushing a hand through his hair, over his cheek. She took a moment to gaze at him, a loving twinkle sweeping over her eyes. Katniss leaned in and pressed a ginger kiss to his lips.

He began to stir. "Hey," she whispered, rubbing his shoulder, his back. "I have to go back to my room. Go back to sleep. I'll see you at breakfast."