CHAPTER 10 - THE SQUARE

PART I

The change in Katniss is subtle. So subtle that someone not living with her, or seeing her every day, would probably not even notice. But it's there. Ever since she agreed to participate in the Reaping Day ceremonies, commemorating the one year anniversary of the last Hunger Games ever to be held, she has been...different.

Katniss is doing probably the worst thing that she could do - hold everything in. She's been keeping to herself more than usual. Every day she goes into the forest - to hunt, to fish, to check her trap lines - but mostly just to be alone. Galen tells me that the best thing I can do for her at this time is to do absolutely nothing...but at the same time to be available for her if she ever wants to talk or open up.

Easier said than done. The upcoming ceremony has taken its toll on me as well. After making steady progress with my hijacking rehabilitation, I suffered the worst attack that I've ever had outside District Thirteen. It struck suddenly and it's just a matter of chance that Haymitch, Galen, and Thom were all there to restrain me. Once I was "me" again Thom explained that he saw my eyes change - that awful hyper dilation of my pupils that seems to turn my eyes into what Thom called "Black pools."

I remember nothing about the attack. When I finally started to become aware of where I was, Galen informed me of the attack and was quick to mention that Katniss was perfectly fine. As usual following a seizure I was confused, and my shoulders were sore. Galen tells me that I probably pulled muscles struggling to free myself to get at Katniss.

"She's fine, Peeta. Scared, yes - well, we all were. But you didn't hurt her," Galen had said. I know better, though - Katniss is far from "fine."

Galen suggested that I spend the night in my house, just to make sure everything was okay. It was less a suggestion and more an order. All I wanted to do at that point was to see Katniss, see for my own eyes that she was unharmed. Galen was firm, though. Just one night, and in the morning we will see how things are then.

The worst was sitting in my old room that evening, staring out the window, and seeing Katniss come to her window. I had seen her many times from across the way, but it was usually incidental - I happened to be glancing out and I would catch a glimpse of her, or of her silhouette, in her room. Tonight, though - she came to her window and looked me right in the eye. We locked eyes for what seemed like forever, neither of us willing to turn away. I mouth the words "I am so sorry" to her, and see her smile for the first time and mouth back, "I am okay."

I'm the first to turn away, not wanting her to see my tears. I avert my face for a few seconds, but when I risk a glimpse she's gone. Her drapes are drawn and her light is out. I sigh heavily and get ready for bed myself. It's still fairly early but I can't see the point in staying up any longer. I slip under my covers, angry at myself, angry at Snow for doing this to me - and hoping that there's some way, any way, that I can make it up to her.

I sleep fitfully and at one point even consider asking Galen for something to help me sleep. My dreams, although not nightmares, are unsettling. All in all it was making for a very long night. My dreams seem to center around past Reapings here in Twelve. As far back as I can remember, watching girl and girl and boy after boy slowly shuffle up to the stage after Effie calls their name. Suddenly, I'm filled with fear when I hear my name. "Peeta." Oh no, not again - I can't be reaped again!

The voice calls my name again. "Peeta." That's funny, it's not Effie's voice and why is she whispering? "Peeta!" The voice, more insistent now - but I don't want to go up to the stage - not again. Not again!

"Peeta!" I jerk awake, my eyes snapping open. I feel the side of the bed shift as if someone else is on it. Still only half awake I recoil in fear as I can now make out a small figure sitting on the side of my bed.

"Hey, easy!" The figure on the bed hisses. "Peeta, it's me!"

"Katniss?" I say in confusion.

"Yes," she whispers. "Now keep it down!"

"What are you doing here?" I whisper urgently. I strain my ears for any sign of Galen awakening, and I'm rewarded by hearing his familiar, rhythmic snoring.

"I'm glad to see you, too," she says sarcastically, pulling away from me slightly.

"No, wait! I didn't - that came out wrong," I stammer. "I just thought you'd be afraid to see me, so soon after..."

"Oh, Peeta," Katniss says softly. "After seeing you in the window tonight, I knew that you'd come back from...whatever place you go when - that - happens to you. And I know that you'd never hurt me."

Just try to kill you, I say to myself bitterly. I reach my hand up to her shoulder and gently pull her down next to me. She slides into bed next to me with an easy familiarity.

"I'll be glad when all this is over and done with," I say softly.

"Me too," Katniss admits. I feel her arm tighten across my chest.

"Galen told me that I need to give you your space, and I've been trying my hardest to do just that," I tell her.

"I know, Peeta - and thank you," Katniss says, rising up to kiss the side of my mouth softly. I shiver a little at her touch - and not out of tracker jacker induced revulsion, either. I crave her touch now - more than ever.

I take a deep breath. "I'll only ask this one time - do you want to talk?"

"No," she says quietly. "Not yet, anyway. And before you say anything else - I know you're worried, and that you think it's bad to hold everything in. Trust me with this, Peeta...when the time is right, I'll let you know, okay?"

"Fair enough," I say sleepily, kissing the top of her head. "Just don't wait too long."

"I won't - promise," she says. "By the way, I got a letter today - from Annie Odair."

"Annie?" I say, now wide awake. "How is she? How's she doing? Did she have the baby?"

"Both she and Finnick, Jr. are fine," Katniss says quietly. "She sent a picture of the baby. It's like looking at Finnick."

"I can't wait to see it," I say. "We should work on the book tomorrow."

"I'd like that," Katniss says. "We need to get Haymitch to contribute also."

I nod. "Easier said than - hey! I just thought of something! My doors were locked...Galen saw to that. How did you get in?"

"Oh - that," Katniss murmurs. "Sorry - you'll need a new cellar window. I know I shouldn't have - but I just missed you too much!"

In response, I pull her closer and kiss her gently on the lips. She responds warmly. "Break all the windows you want," I say to her softly. She responds by cuddling closer to me. I don't know which of us fell asleep first.

PART II

The picture of Finnick Odair, Jr., was as beautiful as I imagined it would be. I had never been what you would call a "baby" person - being the youngest of three boys meant that I had never been around babies growing up, but I had to admit that Little Finnick was a good looking baby! The picture showed Annie holding the baby in her arms and smiling widely for the camera. Even though the baby was only a few days old at the time it was amazing at how much he already looked like Finnick.

We affixed the photo to a fresh parchment page, and Katniss carefully lettered her thoughts under the picture. I watch her as she intently writes her caption under the photo, her face a study in concentration.

Galen comes into the room as we work. When he awoke to find Katniss and I sleeping together he at first chastised us both for taking such a huge risk. All during his tirade at us Katniss simply stood there, regarding him with those gray eyes of hers, and her gaze never once wavered. When Galen finally finished Katniss spoke for both of us.

"I have nothing to fear. Peeta would NEVER hurt me," she said softly, but with a confidence that I only wish I felt.

"I should have known better than to tell either of you to stay away from the other - even for one day," is all Galen would say. Katniss and I simply looked at each other and shared a quick smile.

Now, though, Galen wordlessly examines our memory book. Some pages are of those people that have been incredibly important to us - people like Prim, and Rue, and Finnick - while others were people that touched us, but that we never had the chance to know well - people like the Leeg sisters, and Castor, and Thresh. Galen carefully sets the pages down and stands up.

"Be right back," he says and abruptly leaves the house. Katniss and I look at each other, shrug, and continue to work. We talk very little as we work on the book. Occasionally Katniss will ask me to read something that she wrote, or I may ask Katniss to examine a drawing, but mostly we work in a comfortable silence. I straighten my Robo-leg and wince a little - Galen had told me that the pain was caused by late growth in my bones and that an adjustment to the prosthetic would most likely be necessary. He assured me that the procedure was simple and could be done without me leaving the district, as long as we can get a specialist to come out from the Capitol. But for now, I have to live with discomfort.

I stand up. "I'm going to make some tea. Would you like a cup?" I ask Katniss.

"Yes, thank you," she says with a smile. I return her smile and walk painfully into the kitchen and put water on to boil. While waiting for the water I stare idly out the window. It's a beautiful late spring day in the district. Through the open window I can hear faint sounds coming from the direction of town - the whine of power tools, the low growl of construction equipment, and the rhythmic sounds of hammers driving nails. Trains arrive daily, loaded with construction supplies. The new government is living up to their end of the bargain that we made - they rebuild Twelve, and, in return, Katniss and I star in Plutarchs latest propo.

I sigh heavily as I finish brewing the tea. To say that I am not looking forward to this show is an understatement. All Katniss and I want now is to be left alone. Left to live our lives in peace. After all that we have been through, is that really too much to ask? I pour the tea into two cups and fervently wish that it was all over and done with. I sigh again and carry the cups into the living room. Time to put on a different face for Katniss - the last thing she needs right now is to see how this upcoming ceremony is affecting me.

Katniss smiles and gratefully accepts the cup from me, but before either of us can take a first, cautious sip, we're interrupted by a commotion at the front door. The door opens with a bang and we both watch with amusement as Galen and Haymitch come in, struggling with a large chest.

"Where do you want this?" Haymitch huffs impatiently.

"That depends...what is it?" I ask.

"My little - contribution - to your project there," Haymitch says, nodding at the memory book on the table.

"Next to the table, please," Katniss says. The two older men clumsily carry the chest into the room and set it down next to the table with a bang. Galen looks pleased with himself, while Haymitch just looks irritated.

"Enjoy," Haymitch says grumpily. "And now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a bottle." He lurches out of the room and out of the house without another word.

Katniss and I look at the chest warily. "What is it?" I finally ask.

"What you two have been haranguing Haymitch about for weeks," Galen replies. "His personal reminisces on all the Tributes that he's Mentored from District Twelve."

Katniss and I exchange looks. We had asked Haymitch several times for his contribution to the memory book, and each time he had rebuffed us.

"So what made him change his mind?" I ask.

"Let's just say that I can be persuasive when I have to be," Galen says with a smile. "I'll leave you two to your work." With that, Galen leaves as well.

I warily approach the chest. Yes, we had asked for this very thing - but now that it's here, we are almost afraid to even look. Twenty three years of dead Tributes is in here. Not just facts and figures, but Haymitch's personal notes. Finally, taking a deep breath, I pop the latches and open the lid.

Stacked neatly inside the chest were twenty-five leather volumes. I realize with a shock that the last two were the Seventy-Fourth and Seventy-Fifth Hunger Games - the Games that Katniss and I were Reaped for. As I stare at the volumes Katniss comes up beside me. I hear her sharp intake of breath when she sees the covers of the last two volumes, with the numbers "74" and "75" embossed in gold.

"Do you want to look?" I ask. Katniss shakes her head emphatically.

"No. I don't want to start with ours," she replies as she reaches for the volume marked "51."

She pulls it out and together we sit next to each other on the couch. We knew the names already. The old District Twelve Schools Hall of Tributes had photos of every Tribute ever Reaped for the Games, along with their names and what Games they died in. There had been 148 pictures on the wall. All now lost to the firebombing. A smaller display, labeled the "Hall of Victors," had just four photos on the wall - Kathleen O'Sullivan, Haymitch Abernathy, myself, and Katniss Everdeen.

Katniss opens the volume. The first two pages were pictures of the two Tributes for District Twelve from that year - Josiah Pride and Antonia Morrow. We both knew a little about them - both had been Seam kids. It was Josiah's last Reaping - he was eighteen at the time, and had been a friend of Haymitch's before Haymitch had been Reaped for the Second Quarter Quell. Antonia had been sixteen. They had both come from large families and I'm sure the tessarae that they had both taken out didn't exactly put the odds in their favor.

Katniss turns the page. Haymitch's notes start after the pictures and official bios of the two Tributes. She reads a few lines then hands the volume to me.

"I - can't. You read it, Peeta. Read it to me," Katniss says plaintively.

I start reading. "Josiah almost begging me to save him...Pretty obvious Antonia hates me...Asking about skills - Josiah has none. Antonia ditto. Sponsors? I don't see how."

I pause in my reading. Katniss is sitting on the edge of the couch, hands pressed together with her fingertips touching her lips. "Go on," she says gently.

I clear my throat. "Our Escort is of no help...stylists as usual are idiots. Coal Miners AGAIN? Talked to both before parade, reminded them to SMILE, but Josiah is too scared and Antonia is too full of hate. Not looking good." I stop again and glance at Katniss.

"Seems like Haymitch had a problem with always getting angry female Tributes," I say lightly. Katniss just stares at balefully and makes a "keep going" gesture with her hands.

"Told them to try to find allies...both are close mouthed about training. Corner Plutarch outside Mentors lounge, of course he can't say anything but his face told me everything I need to know...Chaff and Seeder very helpful with learning the ropes about sponsors. Met more Mentors today. Brutus - total asshole. Beetee - very nice, helpful, but in his own world half the time. Mags - half the Mentors call her 'Mom' and soon I was too, even though I miss my real Mom something awful. Blight is a nice guy too, but quiet."

I pause again. Seeing Haymitch's first impressions of people that Katniss and I had first met last year at the Quarter Quell - people that, with the exception of Beetee, are all now dead - was sobering.

"Launch day. Josiah killed," I pause for a moment, "Killed during bloodbath. Didn't even try to save himself. Thought Brutus and I were gonna have our own bloodbath in the Mentors lounge - him crowing about his Tributes first kill - Josiah - and me telling him how honorable it was for his guy to cut down a kid too scared to move. Think I really made him mad when I told him to shove his honor up his ass."

At this I hear a giggle bust from Katniss. I glance over at her and she is giggling. "I can almost hear Haymitch saying that to Brutus," she says between giggles. I smile wanly. I just can't bring myself to laugh about anything that has to do with Brutus - my only direct kill in two Hunger Games.

I continue reading. "Called Josiah's family. Blight helped with the call - coached me in what to say. Spent ten minutes getting yelled at by Josiah's dad. Got off the phone just in time to see Antonia die. Another call. Antonia's mother blaming me for her death. Afterwards Chaff took me out to get drunk. His Tribute is dead too."

I put the volume down. "I can't read any more," I say. Katniss stands up, walks over to me, and hugs me.

"That would have been us," she says quietly. "Mentoring Tributes, making those calls." I feel her shudder in my arms.

"But it wasn't," I say quietly. "And it never will be."

PART III

Reaping Day.

This day used to grip every twelve to eighteen year olds heart with fear. But today is special. Today, for the first time in seventy-six years, no child will be torn from their family by the Capitol to die for supposed crimes committed by their ancestors. There will be no reading of the Treaty of Treason, no glass balls filled with slips of paper.

There is literally no one living that can remember a time without a Hunger Games. And now, we are participants in an event to remind everyone that those obscene Games will never occur again.

Katniss and I have been busy since yesterday. The District Twelve Tribute Train arrived yesterday afternoon, bearing Effie Trinket, Katniss's Prep Team of Octavia, Flavius and Venia, and our personal camera crew - Cressida and Pollux. There were also two additional passengers on the train - Delly Cartwright and Rory Hawthorne, both coming home to live in Twelve. Everything was so confusing at the train station that it was impossible to catch up with either Delly or Rory. All we managed to understand was that Delly's younger brother and grandparents were still District Thirteen, and that Delly would send for them once she got her feet on the ground, and that the rest of Rory's family was still in District Two, and would most likely stay there. Rory was very closed mouthed about why he decided to come back to Twelve, but I have a feeling that Gale had a lot to do with it.

I was confused at first by Delly and Rory being on this train, as it had come from the Capitol, until Haymitch explained that Plutarch had flown Delly out from Thirteen and Rory out from Two to put them both on the train - additional footage of old friends meeting up in the train station.

Plutarch never ceases to amaze me. Here he went to incredible expense to fly two people to the Capitol, put them on a luxurious train, and all for the sake of a minute of reunion footage.

Katniss and I had vehemently disagreed when it came to housing arrangements. The most logical arrangement would be to house Effie, Octavia, Venia , Cressida and Delly at Katniss's house, with me taking on Flavius, Pollux and Rory. But Katniss absolutely refused to allow Prims old room to be used as a guest room - plus, this arrangement would mean that I would have to stay in my own house for a few days. I admit that the prospect of being away from Katniss at night was not pleasant, but I was surprised at how much Katniss objected to the whole plan.

"No! Absolutely not!" Katniss said firmly. "I'll not spend a single night away from you!"

The Katniss plan was put into place instead. Effie would go to Haymitch's - a move that I could tell made him distinctly uncomfortable - with Rory going to Haymitch also. The Prep Team would stay at Katniss's, the Camera Crew and Delly at my place.

Dinner that night was chaotic. Katniss and I conferred with Effie on the schedule for the next day. Effie was thriving as Plutarchs personal assistant and she seemed to be recovering nicely from her own ordeal of imprisonment during the Rebellion. Now it was as if she was coordinating the Victory Tour all over again, talking about schedules, viewing, and speeches. She had an idea that was sheer brilliance...dress Katniss and I in the exact same clothes we wore when we were Reaped for the very first time.

To my surprise, not only did Katniss agree, she still had that same blue dress that she wore that horrible, wonderful day two years ago. I was a different story, however - but, as I wore a simple white shirt and dark pants it would be easy enough to recreate.

"Here's the image - you two looking the same as you did two years ago! People remember that Reaping all over Panem! I can't think of a better way to send our message of closure! And the speeches that I've prepared will be sure to -"

"No," Katniss says flatly.

"No? No what, Katniss?" Effie says in irritation.

"I know what I want to say. No prepared speeches," Katniss says firmly. "And is my - other condition - ready?"

Effie sighs in frustration. "Yes, Katniss, Everything is as you wanted. But won't you at least take a look at what's on the card?"

Katniss reluctantly takes the card from Effie, but barely glances at it before setting it down. Effie sniffs and turns to me, handing me an identical card.

"Effie, I have to side with Katniss. I know what I'm going to say also. But thank you for the time and effort that you put into this," I say, smiling, trying to mollify her as I hold up the card.

Effie, clearly distressed at our refusal to read her speeches, stands up abruptly and hurries off, muttering something about having to coordinate with the Mayor - Thom - and with Haymitch as well. No sooner does she leave than Octavia, Flavius, and Venia swoop in, chattering about what they plan on doing with both Katniss and I to prepare us for the cameras the next day. Although none of them like the idea of the clothing that we will be wearing the next day, they console themselves with the different ideas that they throw out about how they want us to look, and again, Katniss has to put her foot down.

"Although both Peeta and I appreciate what you are trying to do, we really just want to look like...ourselves. No waxing, minimal plucking, and we don't want a single one of our scars covered up. We aren't trying to win sponsors - we want Panem to see us as we really are," Katniss says to them in a gentle, but firm, tone.

We are saved from further attempts at manipulating our appearance by Effie's calling our shared Prep Team away to discuss preparing Thom and Haymitch for the next day. When they leave both Katniss and I sigh heavily. I turn to her, take her hand, and give her what I hope is a reassuring smile.

"It'll all be over and done with this time tomorrow," I say.

"I'm really nervous," Katniss admits to me, "About - my other condition. I just hope I can make it through the ceremony without breaking down."

"If you do, I'll be there for you to lean on," I say, kissing the top of her head. Katniss responds by snuggling in close to me.

"I don't know what I would do without you," she says quietly.

"My thoughts exactly," I say to Katniss.

PART IV

Hand in hand, Katniss and I stroll slowly from the Village to the town square. We both marvel at how much rebuilding has been done in such a short time. Not only public buildings such as the Justice Building, train station, Peacekeepers headquarters, and school - but hotel like structures that Haymitch and Effie identified as "apartment" buildings, and buildings set aside for commerce. One of those will be mine. I plan on reopening the bakery as soon as possible.

We walk by what used to be the Seam, now completely devoid of buildings. Instead, we see neat plots laid out and all manner of vegetable gardens are in various stages of growth. This was Thom's brainchild - putting his cleanup crews to work growing our own food for the coming winter. Although we knew that the new government would continue to take care of us until District Twelve's new industry - manufacturing medicine for the rest of Panem - is up and running.

Katniss and I arrive in the square, and, even though we're early, people are already starting to gather. The temporary stage used for so many Reapings in the past has been erected once again. Effie, Thom, and Haymitch are conferring on the stage, along with a young man in a Peacekeepers uniform. Although I don't know his name, I recognize him as the new Head Peacekeeper. Unlike pre-Rebellion Peacekeepers, these men and women are totally devoid of the calculated cruelty and frightfulness of men like Romulus Thread, or even of old Cray. Instead, they've been instilled with a new purpose - to help, to serve their community, and to protect their district.

We spot Cressida interviewing a small group of residents that I recognize as some of my neighbors from the Village, while Pollux dutifully captures the event for broadcast. As she wraps up her interview she spots us and hurries over to greet Katniss and I. We greet her and Pollux warmly. She asks us if we are up for a brief live interview before the ceremonies start. Both Katniss and I trust this woman implicitly so we readily agree.

Cressida quickly arranges us with Katniss and I standing together with the stage as a backdrop, then looks to Pollux for her cue. He counts down with his fingers - 4, 3, 2, 1 - and points sharply at Cressida.

"I'm live here in the town square of District Twelve with two of my favorite people, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, here to take part in the first anniversary of the end of the Hunger Games. Peeta, your feelings and thoughts."

"Cressida, both Katniss and I are honored to be taking part in this. For seventy five years, this day filled every district resident with dread. Now, everyone here is filled with hope," I say.

Cressida nods, then turns to Katniss. "How about you, Katniss? Anything to add?"

Katniss flashes a beautiful smile for the camera and says, "Oh, Cressida, you know that Peeta's the one that always manages to express himself so wonderfully, so I'll just say that I agree completely with what he said." She then turns, slides her arms around me, and plants a quick, firm kiss on my mouth.

Cressida laughs and says, "Well, I guess our favorite star crossed lovers aren't star crossed any longer! This is Cressida Pierce, reporting live from District Twelve." She watches Pollux intently, smile frozen on her face, until he makes a chopping motion with his hand. At that she relaxes instantly. She turns to us and smiles.

"Perfect, you two. Short and simple," she says as she quickly hugs us both. "I'll talk to you both after the ceremony. Gotta go get set up now." She walks away with Pollux, talking intently to him. Katniss and I see Effie hurrying toward us.

"Come, come, you two! We're ready to get started!" She beckons us onto the stage and directs us to sit. Thom and Haymitch are already seated, so Katniss sits next to Haymitch and I take the chair next to Katniss. Effie quickly sits next to me on the side opposite Katniss.

I scan the small crowd that's assembled. There's still only a couple hundred district residents that have returned, but I can also see that the entire construction crew that's been busy with the rebuilding is here as well. Compared to past Reaping Days, the square looks almost empty - but every face out there is there because they wanted to be here today - and that makes a huge difference.

Cressida flashes a signal towards the stage and Thom stands up and walks nervously to the microphone. He grips the microphone stand and is rewarded by a brief feedback squeal. He jumps a little at the noise, drawing laughter from the crowd. I can see the back of his neck redden in embarrassment. He glances down at the card in his hand.

"Uh...sorry," he stammers. "Umm...well, I think everyone knows why we're here - no more Hunger Games!" At this the crowd erupts in cheers. Next to me I hear Effie mutter, "Introduce yourself and read the damn card!" Thom continues with his remarks and it's obvious that nothing of what he's saying was written by Effie. I hear an exchange next to me between Katniss and Haymitch that draws my attention.

"- much did you drink today?" Katniss snaps to Haymitch.

"Not enough," Haymitch drawls softly. Katniss shakes her head in disgust, but then turns to me and gives me a quick grin and a wink. It's all I can do to not start laughing. Katniss turns back to Haymitch.

"At least you could have shaved, Haymitch!"

"Not a chance, Sweetheart. I have an image to uphold, after all," he says with a smirk.

Katniss shakes her head. "You are impossible!" she hisses under her breath.

"Always have been," Haymitch says. My attention goes back to Thom, now introducing Effie. Effie stands and walks to the microphone, and as she gives Thom a quick hug I can barely hear her say, "We're working on your public speaking, young man!"

Thom, embarrassed but grinning, slinks back to Effie's chair. Effie clears her throat and begins to speak.

"For over fifteen years, every year on this day I would stand here and open the Reaping the same way by saying, 'Happy Hunger Games - and may the odds be ever in your favor.' For years I truly thought that it was an honor to be Reaped. Not until I met and got to know these two -" she indicates Katniss and I seated behind her "- that I realized just how very wrong I had been." Effie pauses here and takes a deep breath before continuing.

"And so, I stand before you, asking for you to forgive the unforgivable. I, in no way, deserve your forgiveness - but I had to apologize to you all for the unimaginable grief that I had caused you for all those years, every time I read a name on a slip of paper. I am so very, very, sorry." Effie's voice cracks a bit on the word "sorry" and she pauses once again, dabbing at her eyes.

The crowd is dead silent. There's a stirring next to me and I look over to see Katniss stand up, walk to Effie, and embrace her warmly - then stand off to one side and slowly start to applaud - clapping her hands slowly, rhythmically, together. As I stand to offer Effie my own hug I can hear the applause rippling through the crowd and I add my own hands to the din.

As we stand there clapping for a weeping Effie, Katniss and I both watch in amazement as Haymitch steps forward slowly and gently pulls Effie into an tender embrace. Effie clings to Haymitch and I can see him murmuring something into her as she cries into his shoulder. I glance at Katniss and see her own eyes tearing up and I feel mine doing the same thing. Haymitch gently leads Effie back to the chairs and Katniss and I look at each other, unsure of what to do now.

Finally shrugging, I step to the microphone. Katniss smiles gratefully and quickly sits back down. The applause dies down slowly.

"I think everyone here knows me already," I begin, as the crowd erupts in cheers and applause again that dies down quickly, "So I'll keep it brief. Katniss and I are both deeply honored to be a part of this today. We've stood here on many beautiful late spring days like this and listened as two names were read - read to go die for the amusement of a few, under the guise of 'atoning for treason.' Those days are gone!" More applause and I wait until the crowd is quiet again.

"We now live as free men and women. Each and every person here had a part in making that happen. And I would like to turn the microphone over to one of these people that helped bring about the change that all of us so desperately wanted for years - Katniss Everdeen!"

No sooner did her name leave my lips then the crowd erupts with absolutely thunderous applause and cheers. Katniss, looking a little dazed, slowly walks to the podium and surveys the crowd. I give her a quick hug and kiss, drawing even more cheers, but when I turn to go back to my seat her arms tighten around me and she whispers, "Don't you DARE leave me up here alone!"

I smile and grasp her hand, feeling her fingers lace naturally with mine. Waiting for the applause to die down, she nudges me and inclines her head towards an object placed at the side of the stage, covered in a dark cloth. I shrug noncommittally, indicating that I have no idea what it is - but I do.

The applause and cheers die down, Katniss surveys the crowd one last time. For a moment it seems like she's too nervous to say anything - then finally she starts to speak in a low, clear voice.

"Many people have called me a hero for what I've done. I'm no hero. A hero is someone like my father, who illegally hunted in order to keep his family from starving, knowing that he would have been executed if he had ever been caught with his bow. A hero is someone like Peeta Mellark -" at this she turns and smiles at me as the crowd again erupts in applause "- who selflessly placed his own life in danger time and time again to save the life of someone that he loves." More cheers and applause.

"A hero is someone that does what's right, no matter what the cost is. Today, we celebrate the first anniversary of the ending of the Hunger Games. Many people died so that we could be here to celebrate this day - people both from the districts and from the Capitol. People like my stylist, Cinna, who created rebellion not with guns and bombs, but with needle and thread. And people like Finnick Odair, who endured years of humiliation just so he could have a chance at making his district, and Panem, a better place to live. And people like my -" I can feel her fingers tighten around mine and I cold hear the hitch in her voice "- sister, Prim. Prim always wanted to help people. Everyone that ever met her fell in love with her. I literally would have died to keep her safe."

Katniss pauses for a moment and I see that every face in the crowd looking at us shows some sign of grief. Prim was indeed loved by everyone in the district and had become a celebrity herself after our Games. Even the people here today not from our district felt a sense of loss.

"Prim was only thirteen when she died. She died doing what she loved doing the most - helping people that were sick or injured. I will love her forever and I hope that her name lives forever." Katniss suddenly turns to me and buries her face in my chest, unable to continue. Out of the corner of my eye I see Thom step forward.

"Katniss, your sister touched us all. So that her memory lives forever in District Twelve, from this day forward our town square that we are now standing in shall be known as Primrose Square." At this Thom nods to two men on the far side of the square. They hoist up a large sign and affix it to posts already set in the ground.

The sign reads "Primrose Square."

Another round of cheers and applause from the small but noisy crowd. Effie and Haymitch step forward and Effie embraces us both. I can hear her murmuring to Katniss, "That was better than anything I could ever write!"

Haymitch puts his hands on Katniss's shoulders and looks into her face solemnly, then grins and says, "Nice job, Sweetheart!" Through her tears Katniss smiles at him and throws her arms around him, hugging him tightly to her.

I step forward to the microphone. "We're not quite done here," I say. Katniss looks at me questioningly. The crowd quiets once more.

"This is very emotional for all of us," I say, wiping my own eyes to a ripple of laughter. "But when we learned that the new government agreed to allow the renaming of the square, I realized that future generations would have no idea who the 'Primrose' was of 'Primrose Square.' So I decided on my own contribution." I nod at Galen Wellgood, who was standing by the mysterious cloth covered object. He smiles and pulls the cloth away and I hear Katniss half gasp, half cry out.

Revealed to all was a life size bronze statue of Prim. Dressed similarly to the way she was on her Reaping Day, twin braids hanging down her back, with her cat Buttercup cradled in her arms, and her goat Lady tethered by her side. A plaque affixed to the base of the statue included her biography - who she was, what she did, the mark she left on the world, and how she died.

As if in a trance, Katniss steps off the stage and walks to the statue, still clinging to my hand. Her trembling fingers run over the cold bronze, feeling the outline of her face, running down her arms. Katniss steps all around the statue and I see her eyes widen when she gets around to the back.

"Peeta...her blouse is coming untucked in the back," Katniss whispers. "How did you do this?"

"I just embellished a painting I already had of her and added detail for the back, then contacted an artist in the Capitol that I had met briefly during our Victory Tour. He gave this top priority to make sure it made the train in time for the ceremony," I say.

"Little duck," I hear Katniss whisper once, then she turns back to me and throws herself into my arms. Holding me tightly, she whispers into my ear. "You're wonderful."

PART V

Later that night, Katniss and I are back home in the Village. The ceremonies were concluded shortly after the unveiling of Prims statue in the square that now bears her name. There was a Capitol supplied feast for everyone, and while Katniss and I managed to get a few moments to finally get something to eat, Cressida approached us and told us that her live video feed of the naming of the square and unveiling of the statue were the talk of Panem right now, and both she and Effie told us that both Plutarch and President Paylor were immensely pleased at how everything went.

Earlier in the evening, Katniss's Prep Team, along with Effie, Cressida, and Pollux, left the district by train, headed back to the Capitol. Tomorrow, work would resume on rebuilding the district, but for now, the tools and construction machinery were quiet.

Following the emotional toll of the ceremony and unveiling, Katniss had recovered quite nicely and I have to say she was the happiest I had seen her since my return to the district. She even got me to take a turn or two dancing, once some of our local musicians brought out their instruments and started playing. All that dancing took a toll on my leg. Galen promised to look at it first thing in the morning. We are still awaiting the arrival of the specialist but some medications had been sent out to help ease the discomfort until adjustments could be made.

Now, I'm laying in bed, fingers laced behind my head, waiting for Katniss to join me. Both of us are pleasantly exhausted from the days activities. I'm hoping that both of us have sleep free from nightmares. I glance over at the bedroom window. Even though the window itself was open, Katniss had closed the drapes before disappearing into the bathroom.

Katniss finally comes out of the bathroom, wearing an extra long t shirt that she favors when sleeping in warmer weather. She closes the bathroom door and gives me a smile as she walks to her side of the bed. I return her smile as she sits on the side of the bed, hesitating for a moment, then reaching over and turning off the light.

Strange. Why didn't she turn out the light after she got under the covers with me? I hear rustling and feel the bed shift as she slides under the covers next to me. I turn and face her and give her a gentle kiss as my arm reaches for her, as I do every night since we began sleeping together again. But this night was different.

My hand encounters her side and I feel nothing but her warm skin. A little embarrassed, I slide my hand up looking for the hem of her t shirt to tug it down, but I feel nothing but more bare flesh. I can feel my heartbeat quicken slightly as Katniss moves a little closer to me and my hand slides down her side, over her hip, and down her bare leg. Trembling, my other hand reaches out and I feel her bare shoulder, and it's then that the realization hits me.

Katniss is in bed with me - naked.

Thanks to all my followers and to everyone that's still sticking with me as I tell this story! Now you all know what Katniss's second condition was - and Peeta's surprise to her as well! And I think that everyone has a good idea of what's coming up in the next chapter - the often asked for, long awaited Everlark!