Author's Note: *evil grin* there is one character I hate in The original fiction and that Has to be Mrs. Mellark (I have a deep hate for kids being abused by their parents), so while you are reading Ariana letting the crone have it imagine how vindicated I felt writing it. ;D…oh and BTW I always thought Mr. Mellark was a big softy so yeah…if it's not canon XP

Thanks go to my reviewers: Pandora, Seaotter, E-W-Dragon, KC99, ASMF and HL

Chapter 9

Hello Again

He doesn't wait. Heck I don't blame him, this is a shock to everyone. Half of my mind wonders why he hasn't run to Katniss' to make sure she's okay. Haymitch gets up and goes to the door.

"We have to talk" Peeta says

Haymitch's long tired voice is not easily missed, "not now kid I'm kinda busy"

Peeta walks past me without noticing, he is limping badly and I notice his prosthetic is loose.

"I ran all the way from the bakery I was visiting my folks…well my dad, and my leg is killing me…Haymitch you owe me" he pauses as he passes me a second time mid-pacing. I'm still on the phone.

"Are you absolutely sure about this Tracker" I say I only briefly acknowledge his open jaw shock

"Should be fun, we should have a good go of it, I'll talk with Finnick let him know…somehow" he replies, he's taking it easily, then again when it came down to the crush of stress Track was the strongest out of the three of us.

"I don't know how to thank you two" I say sadly, "just be safe okay and train for god sakes" I reply

"Always kiddo, you too, stay safe and use that bible of yours!" Tracker replies and hangs up.

"Well we have an alliance" I tell Haymitch who looks at me confused, "just got off the phone with Track and Trace"

"Ariana?" Peeta looks at me

"Hiya Peet" I smile at him, "long time no-" I don't get to finish because he hugs me tight

"You're here!" he says and I can hear the smile on his face

"Tracer had that exact reaction this past winter" I reply, "I even got that reaction by Arora Kinkaid…Snow's granddaughter" Peeta is holding tighter so I hug back and pat his back, "you wanted to tell Haymitch something?"

"I think I know what he is going to say" Haymitch replies, "Peeta-"

Peeta lets go and is almost instantly back in his temper, "no Abernathy, last year you and Katniss were working together, this year you owe me, I am going in"

"Why don't we wait for the reaping to decide" Haymitch drawls, he's taking it better, probably because of the liquor. It's making my stomach turn.

We don't have much time to argue because we see Katniss run past the house.

"We should get her" he limps to the doorway

"Let her be Peeta" Haymitch says, "I don't think anyone is in their right state of mind"

Peeta's jaw is set, but then his face gives off a very prominent wince.

"You said you're leg is hurting you" I tell him, "we should get you off it, should I get you to your place?"

He looks at me, then shakes his head, "I kinda ran out, pop looked worried and now I'm worried"

"Right we'll go to the bakery" I look at Haymitch, "try and not drink while we are gone okay? I will want to talk to you when I get back and I don't want to wake you up...again" on our way out I grab my doctor's bag.

He has a very prominent limp, and I know it's probably because they didn't listen to me when they took the cast of his stump, there is no padding to keep the residual part of his leg from bouncing around, the swelling from the surgery is gone and the cup is slightly bigger. I had asked them to make a sleeve to accommodate but no one listens to someone who looks like some ignorant teenager.

I feel like back in my games, carrying a guy who is bigger than me. Peeta looks down at me from time to time, with a small smirk. At least he's coherent Maverick wasn't so much.

"Pop is gonna freak out" he jokes

"How have you guys been since we are talking about your family" I ask.

He nods, "I live on my own now, so I'm okay, Ryen and Buck are busy at work so mom doesn't bug them much"

"And y'dad?" I ask, he's the biggest part of their family

"He's good, I still remember when we found out about when you…y'know" he says

"Died" I supply and he nods, "maybe we shouldn't upset him"

"He won't be upset" he smirks again

He was right.

Harry opens the back door and his reaction is almost the same as how Peeta was.

Except he isn't stunned. Without a single word he grabs me into a bear hug as soon as Peeta is clear. God I missed this feeling of security. He has grabbed me so quickly and jarring me my doctor's bag drops.

The sound is like a gunshot at a race. And Ryen and Buck come down. They don't jump to hug because they are as confused as happy. For some reason it feels like I am a sister to them. In some small way.

"You're here?" Buck says

I hold up four fingers to Peeta despite Harry refusing to let go just yet. Peeta just shakes his head and smiles gently.

"Mr. Mellark? Would you mind…maybe…allowing me to breath?" I say jokingly, but also seriously, he's strong!

When he lets go his face has tear streaks and I reach into my jacket pocket and offer his own handkerchief. He chuckles.

"Okay Peeta up the stairs with you and we will get you looked at" I order him

"What happened?" Ryen asks concerned

Peeta limps to the stairs and his brothers help him up.

When we finally get him upstairs and lying on the extremely worn couch I realize how badly I needed to check him.

The skin is red and raw and touching it sends him wincing. Buck and Ryen have been sent down to man the storefront while Mr. Mellark has Peeta's head in his lap. I grimace softly, I hate seeing Peeta of all people in pain. He shouldn't have to suffer at all. I go into my doctor's bag and get a chemical ice pack, I break it shake it and apply it.

He hisses like water hitting a hot jet. He means to sit but Harry holds his shoulder.

"Easy son" he says so softly that Peeta lies back down.

"Where is your father?!" we hear bellowed from downstairs and Harry stiffens.

His wife is back. We hear her stomp up the stairs and gets to the living room. I don't turn, I am rubbing some balm into the stump to help with the chaffed skin. It stings and Peeta closes his eyes to try and block it out.

"What is he doing here?!" Mrs. Mellark says, "you should be keeping on eye on Ryen and Buck Harry!"

"They are old enough to look after the shop" Harry says calmly, "I go where I am needed Maris"

"Well he isn't needed" she spits, "lying about all better than us and who is this…some tramp?"

Harry's jaw sets but I put a hand on his arm that is resting on his son's shoulder and give a small shake of the head. I stand and turn, "Dr. Sparrow I worked on your son in the Capitol, just came to see how he was getting on"

Her demeanor changes immediately and I feel bile build.

"Oh I am so sorry!" she smiles cordially

"I am sure" I put on my haughtiest tone, "Mr. Mellark, do you have any thick socks? Preferably soft material"

"I'll get that" Mrs. Mellark says

"I didn't ask you" I say softly almost as a warning, "why don't you make sure your completely capable sons are managing downstairs?"

She sputters, "how dare you!"

"How dare you!" I growl, I point to Peeta, "your son, out of concern for his fiancée ran to Abernathy's to make sure what they will be doing about this quell, he cares for so many people, do you not see that?"

Her jaw tightens visibly; I look at Peeta who is staring at his mother not saying a word.

"Letting girls defend you, how pathetic" she says

"Look who's talking?" I rebuttal, "attacking someone younger than you, I can't believe you two are even related!"

"Lexis" Peeta uses my alias, "it's okay"

Those two words kinda take Mrs. Mellark back, she blinks.

"Dad you can go, Lexis is okay with me and we'll head back to my place" Peeta winces as he tries to get up, "I'll even help her find a sock, I'll be fine"

Harry looks at me then at Peeta then finally his wife.

"I'm not going anywhere" he rumbles and looks at his wife, "go down dear, I'll look after Peeta" I see his jaw set waiting for rebuttal.

She doesn't though and heads downstairs.

"Sock you said?" Harry asks grabbing my attention.

"Yeah not brand new, if it's holey it's fine" I look at him and he smiles. He gently gets from under Peeta and goes to his bedroom he shares with that witch. He comes out with an old pair of tube socks. I put one into the other to make it thicker and get it on Peeta's stump, the socket fits snugly after. I nod to myself and seem so focused that Harry clearing his throat makes me jump.

"Easy my dear" he says touching my shoulder, "missed you" he smiles

"I'm sorry I-" I start and he shushes me

"I'm sure you had good reasons, none to fret" he replies, he then looks sad, "I just wish you came at a better time, knowing the quell…I'm…" he can't finish but both Peeta and I know what this gentle giant of a man wants to say.

'I'm going to loose my son'

"You won't lose him" I tell him and this gets Peeta's and Harry's attention, "I'll train them, both of them, until the reaping" I look at Harry who looks shocked, "I have to"

"I'm in" Peeta smiles, then nods appreciatively at how his prosthetic is fitting. I help him to stand and we are just about to head for the stairs when we hear a thunderous banging from the back door.

We hear Peeta's mom screeching a slur of curses but Harry heads downstairs to answer.

"Where is she?" Haymitch asks.

"She?" Mrs. Mellark says, "Dr. Sparrow?"

"Yeah, also known as Ariana Crane she came with Peeta a couple hours ago" Haymitch says impatiently.