One

"And our male tribute is...Gale Hawthorne."

She froze, the scream so desperate to break free trapped in her throat. No. She'd misheard. Her gaze flew to Gale only to have her worst fears confirmed. He stood ramrod straight, pale as the ghosts that haunted her dreams. Effie looked positively enamored with the selections and it took everything she had not to rip that smug look from that horrible woman's face.

The shock had worn off slightly and she saw Prim clinging to the boy with the bread, Peeta Mellark, sobbing openly. Her mother stood beside them with the same shell-shocked expression that she'd worn the day her father was killed. Her mother's eyes, already barely alive, went completely dead. Her mind raced. She was truly gone. Dear mericiless Heavens. Who will care for Prim? With she and Gale both gone, who would check their snares for food both to trade and to feed their families?

Her gaze lifted to Peeta's. She found strength in his gaze, a silent promise and she sucked in a sharp breath. This stranger, who meant nothing more to her than bread when her family was starved beyond sense, was offering to take care of her family while she struggled in the Games, most likely doomed to never return. He couldn't mean it, could he?

"Katniss," he mouthed. Her eyes widened, surprised he knew her name. "I'll do everything in my power. I promise."

She'd never taken him for being particularly heroic, but in this moment he was her Knight in Shining Armor. So much strength. If only she could be as certain as he was. Her gaze returned to Gale, who was now moving toward the stage. It was expected, after all, that they stand before the world as though being selected was the greatest honor of their young lives instead of the death sentence that it was.

"Thank you," she mouthed back as Gale joined her on stage and placed her hand in the crook of his arm, squeezing reassuringly.

She studied Gale's face. Hers, it seemed, betrayed her fear.

"Everything will be all right, Catnip," he whispered, a half-hearted smile curving the corners of his lips.

The silence was so deafening that you could have heard a pin drop. It started with Peeta. He pressed his three middle fingers to his lips and raised them in the familiar silent salute. One by one, the others in the crowd followed suit. She gaped. The sign of respect. It wasn't given lightly.

Effie grasped both of their shoulders. "Your District 12 tributes!"

Goodbyes had always been tough for Katniss. Even when she and Gale parted after their hunting trips, she'd refused to say it. Now there was every chance that this was indeed goodbye forever. Her throat tightened at the thought of never seeing her little duck again and she fought back tears.

"Go to the bakery every day," she instructed. "And Peeta will make sure you and mother have food to eat. Remember what I taught you about the berries and follow your instincts when it comes to trade. If a deal seems too good to be true, it absolutely is. No matter what, stay in school," she choked out. "Just...take care of yourself." I turned to my mother. "Promise me you won't check out. She needs you."

Her mother nodded.

"It'll be okay, Katniss," Prim smiled. "You're amazing and smart...maybe you can win."

She couldn't help but smile in return. "Maybe. Then we'd have more money than we could ever need. You'd never want for anything."

Prim shook her head. "I could care less about the money. I just want you home alive."

The Peacekeeper entered and Katniss knew their time was up. "I love you, little duck."

She was surprised when Prim threw her arms around her waist, hugging her tightly. "Love you, too."

Her mother's expression cracked. "Katniss, I'm so very sorry," she croaked.

"I love you, too, Mother," she murmured. "PLEASE, PLEASE take care of yourself and Prim."

Familiar arms wrapped themselves around her and she realized that her mother was hugging her. She basked in the security, forgetting for just a moment that she was being taken to her death. She was 7 years old again, her mother singing familiar lullabies to send her into the blissful embrace of sleep.

The Peacekeeper led them from the room and she glanced over to see Gale and his family exchanging their goodbyes. His siblings cried and his mother wore the expression of a rabbit just before an arrow speared its heart. Yet another reminder that Gale, too, was facing almost certain death. She started at the sensation of a hand on her shoulder and was stunned to find Peeta standing in front of her with a package in his hand. He dropped the package and enveloped her in a hug.

"I know this is probably the worst timing in the world," he murmured into my ear. "But I haven't stopped thinking about you since that day with the bread." He pulled back, his expression unreadable. "I wish it had been Madge...anyone but you or Prim. I promise I will do everything that I can to keep her safe until you get back. And you will come back. I know you will. You're too strong not to."

"Why?" she asked. "I'm no one to you. Just a strange girl who dug through the baker's trash to get food to feed my family."

He shook his head. "You're so much more than you think you are. Maybe that's why I'm so crazy about you." She sucked in a breath at his admition and opened her mouth to reply, but he, again, shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Just worry about surviving and coming home to Prim like you promised." The Peacekeeper glared at them and Peeta sighed. "I should go. Be safe and follow your instincts. You'll do great."

And then, she and Gale were alone. She dropped to the couch and at last let the fear consume her. Clutching a pillow to her chest, she cried in frustration and loss. Strong arms wound their way around her from behind and she leaned back against the solid chest, letting his soft reassurances soothe her.

"I wish it had been that horrible girl, Madge, instead of you," he admitted hoarsely. "Anyone but you and Prim. I prayed that you wouldn't be selected. I would give anything that you wouldn't have to go through this. I'd die rather than lose you."

She whimpered. "Gale, oh Gale. Please don't say that. I can't stand the thought of anything happening to you. You're my best friend. Promise me that you'll fight. Please, Gale, promise me."

Reluctantly, he replied, "I promise, Catnip. I promise."