A.N.: Thanks to my BFF respect101 for reviewing! I actually laughed out loud at your review. And yes, I thought that about the chapter title, too.

Chapter 7: Repercussions

I take a shower to calm myself. When I get out, I change into my nightgown and get ready for nighttime. With no Avoxes to serve refreshments to them, and having to get things themselves, the crowds soon dissipate. Now it is time for repercussions from my actions.

Grandfather demands I let him in, and I do. He bursts in, fuming.

"What was that?" he asks incredulously. "Why did you do that?"

I speak in the calm, diplomatic sense that I always speak. "It was wrong for them to interrupt my speech."

"It's the Capitol's culture to be jovial. They don't like being somber. That's for the Districts."

"Well, it's wrong."

"Why do you want to live in the Districts, Athena? You refuse to have Alterations, you dress simply, and don't think I don't know you hate the Hunger Games! You're District scum!" With that, for the first time in my life, he slaps me. He has never hit me before. It isn't like I hit Peeta. Grandfather backhands me, sending me to the floor. Peeta tackles him, pinning Grandfather to the wall. It is exactly how I thought Peeta would react last night to me, with his arm at Grandfather's neck. It takes me a minute to realize Peeta is defending me. He makes noises and breathes loudly. It is obvious he is angry.

"Peacekeepers!" cries Grandfather. When they come in, he says, "Subdue this Avox."

"No!" I shriek, for I know "subdue" means "kill". They wrestle Peeta to the ground, and take him away. I look at Katniss, who shares my look of horror.

"Come on!" I yell at Katniss.

"Athena, come back here, you scum!" Grandfather yells. But we're already running.

When we're underground, near the Avox quarters, I say to Katniss, "I'm following you." She runs ahead of me. She leads me down the corridors, until we reach the "Avox Execution Room". We burst in.

They have him in a tube full of water, and are beginning to run electricity through it. He's trying to scream, but can't.

"Stop! I hereby give this Avox a Presidential Pardon. You are dismissed," I say. The Peacekeepers leave. I stop the electricity. We try to get him out of the tube, but can't. Katniss breaks the glass by smashing into it. Peeta falls to the ground lifeless, amidst water and glass.

"Check his pulse," I tell her. "I'm going to get a doctor." She nods, and I run out.

"Help! I need medical attention!" I say as I run down the halls. I have no idea where I am. I just hope I find someone.

A doctor peeks his head out. "What?"

"There's an Avox, sir, and he's not breathing!" I lose him at the word "Avox".

However, another doctor comes out and says, "I can help." I tell him to follow me. We run back to the room where Katniss and Peeta are. Katniss and I sit to the side, holding each other, and tremble.

"I don't hear a heartbeat," the doctor says. He commences to push on Peeta's chest. Tears begin to roll down my face. The next thing I know, I'm sobbing. I look at Katniss. She's crying too. The brave Katniss Everdeen is crying. We hold each other tighter. Then, we hear a gasp.

Peeta's eyes are wide open. He's coughing, but alive. Katniss hugs him. I just smile. I doubt he wants a hug from me.

"He should be fine, but keep an eye on him. Your timing saved his life, Miss Athena," the doctor says.

That should make me feel better, but it's scary to think about. So, the only reason he's alive is because I happened to run across a doctor? I shudder at the notion.

"Katniss, put one of his arms over your shoulder. I'll take the other. Let's get him to our room," I say, as the doctor leaves. Peeta is heavy to carry, but we manage. Grandfather is waiting for us outside of our room.

"Out of our way," I scowl. "This is your doing."

He is so taken aback by how I suddenly stand up for myself. He stands aside, and we carry Peeta to my bed. He's in no shape to sleep on the floor, so I will.

"Peeta," I say in spite of my good sense not to speak to him. "Thank you for defending me today."

He smiles and places his hand on my cheek as if to say "No, thank you." He beckons me closer to him, as if he is going to whisper in my ear. No, that's not possible, but I lean in anyway.

He kisses me.

It is a small peck on the cheek, but it is a kiss all the same. I'm shocked, and I pull back. He has expectant, raised eyebrows as if to say "Well?"

I smile. I want to scream, for I am ecstatic. I return a kiss on the cheek. "Does that answer your question?" He nods.

Once I'm on the floor beside Katniss, I tell her, "One of us needs to stay up and watch Peeta. I'll take first watch, and I'll wake you up at 2:00." She nods.

I like that idea, she writes. You know, I don't really love Peeta.

"Was that my fault?" I ask.

No, I love a boy from 12, Gale.

"Oh. Wait, isn't that your cousin?"

She laughs. No, he's my best friend. I couldn't very well have a boy best friend. That would take away from Peeta and me. I miss him a lot.

"What does Peeta think about me?"

He's not very open minded, given your lineage. If it makes you feel any better, I like you. You're not like Snow. You're good.

It does. "Katniss, you're like a sister to me. I've never felt sibling love, but now I do." We hug.

I finally have a friend.