A/N: I do not own The Hunger Games but I'm enjoying using the wonderful characters Suzanne Collins created. This is my first attempt at fan fiction ever so please review!

These Twisted Games

"I volunteer as tribute!" I shout from where I stand in the crowd. The words have left my mouth before the blond, bakers boy has even made it to the stage. I see Katniss' head snap in my direction and the fury and pain are evident in her eyes. I make my way to the stairs and I slap Peeta on the shoulder as I pass.

"What a wonderfully exciting day!" Effie Trinket squeals. Two volunteer tributes from District 12 has to be a first. I'm barely listening as I climb the stairs to the stage. What have I done? I think. My family depends on me and now what will they do. I just broke my mother's heart and I can't even look in her direction.

"And what's your name?" Asks Effie excitedly. I refuse to look Katniss in the eyes.

"Gale Hawthorne," I say calmly.

"Well this is certainly the spirit of the Games," Effie says. "Two volunteers!"

The mayor begins reading the Treaty of Treason, as he does every year at this point but I'm not listening. I'm holding my gaze toward the distant hills, trying to look anywhere but at Katniss or at my mother.

As he reads my mind is spinning. I have no idea what's going to happen now. I just left my mother and three young siblings to fend for themselves. Not to mention the fact that Katniss will not be thanking me for this snap decision. We made a promise to each other that if one of us ended up in the Games we would take care of the others' family; make sure they didn't starve. Now Katniss volunteered for Prim and it was my job to stay behind and care for our families. What have I done? I think again.

As the mayor finishes reading he motions for Katniss and me to shake hands. This is the moment of truth. I look her in the eyes and the pure anger there is plain. She is furious. I try to squeeze her hand but she pulls hers away and we turn to the crowd as the anthem of Panem begins. I can see the crowd watching us with wide eyes, unable to believe what they have just witnessed. This is a first.

After the anthem ends we are taken into custody. I try not to look at Katniss as the Peacekeepers walk us into the Justice Building but without success. I glance in her direction as soon as the doors to the building close and she's glaring at me. Without the cameras to hinder her, she lets her rage show.

"How could you!" She screams at me furiously. She even tries to take a swing at me but the Peacekeepers pull her back. I recognize Darius and Cray, both their eyes wide. They know Katniss and I both from the Hob and are probably wondering what's going to happen now.

"Katniss, I'm so sorry. Please, forgive me?" I yell as they pull us into different rooms across the hall from one another.

This will be our allotted hour to say good-bye to our loved ones before we board a train to the Capitol. I'm not sure exactly what to say or if my mother will even come in the room. I pace because I'm too wound up to think about sitting on the plush sofa. My fury at myself is growing stronger as I think about what I have done.

The door opens and the first person I see surprises me. It's Mr. Mellark, Peeta's father. He walks in and sits on one of the chairs and motions for me to do the same. I walk to the chair and sit, too shocked to do anything else at this point. He hands me a small bag and when I open it I find some cookies. These are something that I have only eaten a handful of times because I can never afford them. My eyes widen.

"I wanted to thank you for what you did out there. I know you didn't volunteer to spare my son. You did it to protect Katniss but in the end you did save Peeta," he says.

"You're welcome," I say slowly. I'm not sure why he has come to see me exactly because there seems to be more on his mind than just a thank you.

"You and Katniss have come into the bakery quite a bit through the years and I traded with both your father's as well. I want you to know that I am very fond of the two of you. I never knew exactly the depth of your feelings for her until today but I always suspected," he says with a slight grin.

"Those Everdeen women are really something," he gives a light laugh. "Listen, I want you to know that…" he trails off looking in my eyes. I'm not sure what he's looking for but he makes a decision and finishes, "that I won't let them starve. Not your family or hers."

I feel the look of shock that must be on my face. Did I just hear this right? Is he offering to take care of my family?

"This may come as a shock, but I know the effect the Everdeen women can have. My story may be different from yours in some ways but the similarities between us would shock you," he finishes.

"Um… thank you, sir," I respond softly. "I don't know what to say."

"No, thank you, Gale," he says as he stands to leave. He turns back at the door and adds, "You just take care of her." I nod and he shuts the door.

I sit there with the bag of cookies in my hand trying to get a grip on the situation. Surely Mr. Mellark was serious but what about he and I would be similar? What did he mean about the effects the Everdeen women can have?

I don't have time to figure out the answers to these questions before the door opens again. My mother comes in with an expression I can't even describe. My siblings hang back by the door while she walks to the center of the room and slaps me across the face before I can react. My mother has never struck me before, nor has she ever struck my siblings. This reaction was similar to what I expected though.

"Mom," I begin but I'm cut off by her fury. Her expression is one I have never seen before. She is beyond furious. She has every right to be.

"What were you thinking, Gale?" She says angrily. "Did you stop and think about what this decision would mean for your family? Did you think about Rory or Vick or Posy who will have to watch the Games and see all this happen? Did you think of anyone else?" She finally breaks down and sobs. She takes me in her arms and just starts kissing my cheeks. My siblings walk toward us tentatively and we all sit on the sofa, Posy on my lap. She lays her head on my chest, unaware of what is happening, but as I look to Rory and Vick I see in their expressions that they have yet to forgive me.

"I'm sorry. I was selfish and impulsive and I really, honestly, wasn't thinking straight at all," I say earnestly.

I spend the next few minutes giving them some small instruction on keeping themselves going while I am gone. Rory has been out hunting with Katniss and me a few times so he knows a little but I would prefer if he didn't try for a while. He's still a little too young. I let them know about the promise from the baker. I make demands that all the kids stay in school.

After a few minutes, the Peacekeepers return and it's time to say good-bye. I hug them each and while I know they haven't forgiven me, I hope they will in time.

The next visitors shock me almost as much as the first. I guess I shouldn't be shocked but I am.

Prim throws her arms around me and is sobbing into my chest as I kneel on the floor in front of the sofa. Mrs. Everdeen sits on the sofa and places a hand on my shoulder. They must have just said good-bye to Katniss.

After just a few minutes, Prim calms enough to let go of my neck. We sit on the sofa and I feel the need to apologize to them as well.

"Listen," I begin.

"Katniss told us about the promise you made to one another," Mrs. Everdeen says quickly before I can finish. "Don't apologize, Gale. I understand why you did it."

I struggle with the words but I don't understand why.

"I love her," I say looking Mrs. Everdeen in the eyes. "I love your daughter more than life."

"I know. I understand that. You can't think that this will end well for the two of you, though. What exactly is your plan?" She asks.

"I don't really have one. I just couldn't let her go alone. The only thing I know is that I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe," I finish with conviction.

"Keep each other safe," she says, rising to leave. As she hugs me Prim walks to the door. "It will take time but she will forgive you, Gale. It will also take some time for her to understand why you did it. She will see but you will have to be persistent. You have to tell her the truth now. She's been too blind to see it all these years but you have to make her understand it all."

I hug them both and I'm alone again.