Katniss pulled into the driveway of the house in the Seam, squinting against the early morning sunshine. It looked even worse than she remembered. The porch was sagging, and the steps leading up to it were warping to the point that it was probably dangerous to even attempt to walk on them.

It didn't matter though, this was her home, the one that had sheltered her and shaped her as a person. This was the one place she could return to and blot out the mess that was the present, the place where she would always be Katniss Everdeen.

A truck pulled into the drive behind her car, and she turned, squinting against the early morning sun. The truck wasn't new, but it wasn't the old beater that he'd used to have. Sturdy and capable, the truck was everything Gale had become in the last ten years since high school. She gave him a half hearted smile as he exited the truck and began to walk towards her, dark Seam eyes roving over the landscape constantly.

She hated that they still had to be so cautious. Her nerves were strung so tightly that it was a wonder she hadn't turned to drinking or something worse. The other wives used pills and powders to keep their asses toned and suppress their appetites, but she couldn't bring herself to go there, not after seeing her mother waste away, lost in a haze of grief and pills until there was nothing left of the woman she'd grown up with and loved. Katniss sighed. At least Prim hadn't had to go through it as well. She was safe and thriving, well out of the reach of Seneca's grasping claws.

Gale walked up the rickety stairs and pulled out a keyring, opening the door and waiting, turning back to watch her. Taking a deep breath, she walked up the stairs and into the house. The silence surrounded her and she breathed it in, the tense set of her shoulders loosening just the tiniest bit. Gale had scrounged furniture from somewhere, giving her a refuge if she'd needed it. It wasn't much, but it was hers.

Katniss walked over to the window, staring out at the thick woods behind the property. Gale sprawled on the couch, tapping his fingers on the arm. "So he knows."

She leaned her forehead against the glass. "Every sordid detail," Katniss said wearily.

Silence stretched for long moments before he broke it again. "Did he forgive you?"

She laughed hollowly. "Nothing to forgive." She turned around, her eyes empty. "I did it to protect him and Prim."

He met her gaze evenly. "And me."

She nodded, a ghost of a smile tugging on the corner of her lips. "And you."

Gale's expression hardened. "No one asked you to be a martyr, Katniss."

Her cheeks flushed and she glared at him. "He threatened the three people I love more than anything in this world. What did you expect me to do?"

Gale broke first, gaze darting to the window, jaw clenched. "Are you going to do it?"

Their eyes met again and this time it was Katniss that looked away first, seared by the raw pain and guilt in his eyes. "I don't know what good it'll do, I'm his wife, and you know what that means in the eyes of the law." She walked to the fireplace, tracing her finger along the thick mantle.

She heard him rise up behind her, moving to the kitchen. Glasses clinked and then he was back, sliding a small glass of clear liquid towards her. "So quit being his wife."

Katniss sighed, picking up the glass and swallowing the inch of liquid in it. Fire burned down her throat and spread warmth through her stomach. "Now you sound like Peeta," she said as she set the glass back down.

"God forbid."

Katniss laughed, glancing at him over her shoulder. "He'd say the same of you."

Gale snorted. "He's never going to be my best friend, Catnip, but he does have a point. What's keeping you there now that he's back?"

Katniss turned around, her heart in her eyes. "Prim still isn't safe."

Gale shook his head. "Katniss, she's never going to be safe. Life isn't safe, but she's as close as she'll ever get to being free from it all, Mellark's money ensured that."

Katniss shook her head. "Please, we all know who wears the pants in the Mellark household, and it certainly isn't Bradford. If she decides to get nosy, Prim is right back in the midst of danger."

"Why would she suddenly get nosy, Katniss? It's been years, and there's been nothing, no trace of even a suggestion that they're looking for her." His shoulders slumped. "Besides, Rory would die to protect her."

"They're not going to go down without a fight, Gale. These people, Seneca, Charlotte, Snow…they've been in power too long."

"Peeta's got some powerful allies, Katniss."

Tears glistened in her eyes. "And he's also got some powerful enemies." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Seneca hates Peeta. It's completely irrational and stupid, but it's also part of why he chose to force me into marrying him."

"Katniss, you can't keep trying to protect us. It's time for you to do what's best for you, and let Peeta and I take care of ourselves."

She wiped angrily at the tears that spilled down her cheeks. "Yeah, that's worked out so well for all of us."

"Divorce him, Catnip, marry Peeta, or don't, just do what makes you happy for once."

"I wish it was that easy, Gale."

"Where is your ring?"

Katniss looked up to see Seneca standing in the doorway of her dressing room, glaring down at her left hand. She absently rubbed her thumb and index finger over the small tattoo that the ring normally hid, dropping her gaze to her hand. "I lost a stone, so I sent it down to be fixed."

His gaze narrowed as it latched onto the thin black line with the double knot that was inked into her skin. "And I thought I told you to get rid of that damn tattoo."

Katniss lifted her head, meeting his icy gaze coolly. "And I told you no."

"Careful, Katherine, you know what happens when you try to defy me, people get hurt."

She inhaled sharply, her eyes glittering dangerously. "My name is Katniss and fuck you."

He walked into the room, staring down at her. The big muscle in his cheek ticked madly and she cringed as he lifted his fist, but held her ground. "And if you hit me, I won't be attending the Black and White Ball. Your choice, Seneca, assuage your anger, or have your trophy."

"You're going to pay for that…later." He spun on his heel, tossing his next words over his shoulder. "The limo will be here at eight, make sure you're presentable by then."

Katniss shook her head, turning her attention back to the small tattoo on her ring finger. She'd gotten it right before Peeta had left for basic; to remind them what was important in life. Reaching out, she pulled open the drawer of her jewelry box, staring down at the glittering diamond of her wedding ring. She'd lied to Seneca, it hadn't lost any stones, she just couldn't bear to wear it any longer.

Glancing at the clock, she closed the drawer and rose from the vanity seat, walking over to the gown hanging up on the hook on the door. It was black raw silk, with draped cap sleeves and a slit that ran up to her thigh in the front. The sweetheart bodice would cup her breasts and then fall to a sleek column to the floor. Right on time, her prep team bustled into the room, laughing and chatting. They surrounded her, Octavia pushing her gently back onto the chair, Flavius lifting her hair and tutting under his breath. Venia reached for her hands, the manicure kit already open and ready to be put to work. Katniss closed her eyes and let herself drift as they worked, knowing they'd make her shine.

The Black and White Ball was the biggest event of the Spring Season. It gave the Capitol wives a chance to show off the latest fashions and gossip for hours over who wore what and who disappeared with whom. While the supposed purpose was to raise money for charity, everyone knew the real reason behind it, it was the place to see and be seen.

Katniss stepped lightly out of the limo, grasping Seneca's hand lightly as he posed and preened for the cameras. His touch made her skin crawl and she was profoundly thankful for the long black gloves that served as a barrier between their skin. They also served the purpose of hiding her bare ring finger and the questions it would inevitably raise. Questions she wasn't ready to answer – yet.

They walked slowly down the red carpet, mouthing well wishes and platitudes that neither of them meant, but were all part of the gladhanding and sucking up that being a politician and his wife in the Capitol entailed.

A roar of applause swept through the crowds standing watching, excited titters and several enthusiastic screams filled the night air as Finnick Odair stepped onto the carpet, resplendent in a fitted black tuxedo. He paused dramatically, posing for the myriad cameras that swung his way, flashbulbs popping in a riot of retina burning light.

He caught up to them, posing dramatically with his arm around her waist, subtly nudging Seneca to the side as he playfully pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Lovely to see you this evening, Mrs. Crane," he said out of the side of his mouth, smile wide as the paparazzi went crazy.

"Thank you, Mr. Odair, but I really had no idea you even knew who I was?" Katniss gave him her most bland smile. She knew better than to act surprised and let the paps see, but inside she was stunned. What the fuck was going on?

His hand tightened briefly on her waist and his lips barely brushed her ear as he pulled away. "Our mutual friend asked me to introduce myself, just in case." With that cryptic statement, for her ears alone, he moved off down the carpet, pausing briefly to chat with the people lining the runner and of course the press.

Seneca grabbed her arm roughly, his fingers tightening to the point of pain. "What the fuck was that?" he hissed through clenched teeth, maintaining the insipid grin he'd perfected over the years.

"He was just saying hello," Katniss replied softly. "And you're hurting me."

He squeezed tighter and she fought to keep from wincing as they finally exited the carpet and stepped onto the wide, sweeping stairs of the hotel where the event was being held. "Is he the one you've been fucking?"

She darted a shocked look at him, her stomach churning hotly as he smirked smugly back at her. "Didn't think I knew about that, did you?"

"I…" She couldn't breathe, couldn't speak, couldn't do anything but gape at him stupidly. He all but dragged her up the stairs, smiling and waving to the people that surrounded them.

"Wipe that stupid expression off of your face," he snarled under his breath as they approached the entrance to the ballroom. "We'll discuss it later, but you should know, my dear sweet wife, secrets are not your forte."

The second they entered the ballroom, he left her alone. She was shaking, nauseated with fear. She walked along the length of the ballroom, smiling politely and stopping just long enough that no one would get suspicious, but she couldn't stay in this room, not with Seneca's bombshell hanging over her head.

"Katniss."

She stopped in her tracks, her head swiveling around to see who'd said her name, her real name, heart lurching as she saw Peeta leaning against a pillar, a heavy tumbler of dark amber liquid in his hand. Her eyes widened and she shook her head imperceptibly. She couldn't, not now.

Finnick Odair came to her rescue, smoothly sliding his hand along her waist and leading her onto the dance floor, guiding her unresisting body into the moves of the waltz that was playing. His face showed nothing but playfulness, but his tone was anything but as he spoke lowly. "Chin up, my girl, can't let them see you sweat."

Her hand clenched in his and he whirled them around the dance floor, smoothly covering up her faltering steps. She stared up at him in shock, her mind still whirling.

He grinned, as if she'd said something supremely hilarious and spun her into yet another turn, moving closer and closer to the edge of the swirling crush of dancers. "Your husband won't come after me, I've got more supporters than he does, which is exactly why I was sent to you this evening." Sea green eyes met hers and she blinked rapidly, realizing that Peeta had known this was coming. A tentative smile teased at her lips. Finnick nodded. "That's right, beautiful girl, keep doing that and this will be all over before you know it. He wants you to know that he will keep you safe, and you don't have to worry about your sister either, she's been moved to somewhere secure and she'll contact you in the morning on the phone you're going to find in your vanity drawer."

"How?"

The smile he gave her was the first one that looked genuine. "My dear, you don't think we haven't been planning things?" His expression sobered. "Your husband won't have a chance to hurt you again, after this evening is finished. Our friend wanted me to tell you that as well. He keeps his promises, sweetheart."

Katniss' hand clenched his shoulder tightly, silent as she digested what he'd said. "What do I do?" Her voice was soft, and filled with questions she couldn't ask.

"You do what you've been doing, play the game." Finnick whirled her around again, spinning her out along his outstretched arm and then curling her back into his chest, his lips against her ear. "It'll be over tonight, at least for you."

The music ended before she could ask him what that meant. He bowed gallantly to her and held out his arm to escort her from the dance floor. As soon as they reached the edge, scores of women surrounded him, slowly and steadily edging Katniss away from him until she stood outside the circle, looking in to where Finnick stood, smiling suavely and flirting with the women that were fawning over him.

Katniss felt warmth at her back, and a soft voice spoke directly into her ear. "You look beautiful."

Peeta. His voice made everything fade away, so that it was only the two of them here. She wanted this to be over, so badly. She wanted to be able to wake up next to him in the morning, after they'd spent the night making love. She wanted...so much. Tears pricked her eyes but she blinked rapidly, fighting them back. Lifting her head, she turned it just enough to see him out of the corner of her eye. "Thank you."

She saw him smile and it filled her with a sweet rush of joy. Things weren't going to stay the way they were, this was the start of something different, without secrets and pain between them. His voice was thick and deep when he spoke once more. "I love you."

She gasped, eyes closing briefly. She felt his fingers on her arm, just above the line of her glove, ghosting over her skin before he was gone, moving through the crowd.