Author's Note: Okay, just so you all know (there have been a question or two about this), if all goes according to plan there should be 16 chapters, including the epilogue ... so basically 7 more updates to go! Just want to shout-out to Kpfan72491, you've left some really nice reviews so thank you xoxo

Chapter Ten

Haymitch POV

I knew Katniss wouldn't survive the rest of the day in the state she was in. After I'd calmed her down with a cup of tea in the Pastoral Care Office, I told Effie that I'd drive her home. She agreed reluctantly, knowing she could trust me with her.

The car ride was silent, neither of us knowing what to say. One time, I'd tried to turn on the radio, but she'd given me a look and turned it off. I glared at her, but knew she just needed some quiet time. Her entire face was pale, except from the huge scar that ran from the corner of her eye to her nose. The fact that someone had even tried to hurt her made my knuckles clench against the steering wheel. No matter how many times I'd insulted her, I did love her really. She was like my daughter, the closest thing to family I have. I swore to myself that the next man who ever laid a finger on her would get a bullet buried in their skull.

"No wait!" Katniss said suddenly. The car halted outside of Johanna's house so quickly, we both bucked forward in our seats. "Don't drop me off here."

I looked at her. "You wanna go to Peeta's?"

She looked at a point above my head, not wanting to look me in the eye. "I think he deserves to know what happened, don't you?"

I didn't say anything, but started the engine again and whirred the car to life. The next five minutes felt like hours of painful silence. At times, I opened my mouth to express how sorry I was, but I could never find the right words. Anyway, each time I did, Katniss turned her head towards the window, trying to block me out. I could tell she was mad.

Once we'd pulled up at Peeta's house, I expected her to get out of the car, but she just sat there, like she was expecting me to say something.

I sighed. "Okay, sweetheart, I know you blame me for everything but-"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she asked, softly.

"Katniss, I'm trying to tell you that I'm-"

"You're what?" she interrupted again, her voice less soft and more harsh. "You're sorry? If it wasn't for you, Prim would never of seen me. I can't even imagine how traumatized she is ... she's just 12 years old, Haymitch, and you just felt the need to call Mum in ..."

"Believe me, Katniss," I chuckled lightly. "I didn't know she'd take it so badly."

She glared at me. "Is this a joke to you?"

"No!" I exclaimed. "How low do you think I am? Low enough to think that men who beat women are oh so hilarious?" She stared at me. "Okay, not funny."

I didn't get the chance to apologise, because she'd gotten out of the car, slamming the door behind her. I'd tried to call her back, but she didn't listen. I groaned and leaned forward, resting my head tiredly on the steering wheel. At this moment, the only thing I needed was a good bottle of whisky.

Peeta POV

"Oh, crap! No, no, no, no ..."

I sprinted to the kitchen and, quick as I could, whipped the spaghetti off the cooker. The hot water immediately soaked through my sleeve, burning me. I yelped and carefully put the pan of boiling spaghetti on the side. That was when I heard the door open.

"Peeta? You there?"

"Katniss!" I said, is surprise. "I wasn't expecting you until 4:00. Aren't you supposed to be in school? You can have lunch with me, I guess. I'm cooking your favourite, spag bol. Call it a coincidence or whatever- woah!"

I gasped as Katniss hurried towards me, slamming into me. I steadied myself. She wrapped her arms around my neck to pull me closer, and after a moment of hesitation, I wrapped mine around her waist.

"Katniss? What's up?" I asked, gently.

"It's Cato ... oh, Peeta you won't even believe when I tell you ..."

I pulled apart so I could look her in the eye. That was when I noticed the huge scar on her face, pulsing bright red. I reached my hand up to brush my fingertips over it. "What happened to you?"

She sighed. "You may want to uh ... sit down for a bit."

I agreed, and she took my hand and lead me to the sofa, making me leave the pasta to turn cold. She sat on the couch with her head rested on the arm and her legs over my lap. I rested a hand on one of her perfect legs, covered modestly by her jeans. I waited for her to speak, and when she did, she spoke more to the ceiling.

"Do you remember Glimmer? She was the girl in the short pink dress at prom in the 11th grade? I always thought she was a slut."

"Yeah, I remember," I said after a little bit of thought. "I didn't really like the look of her."

"Well ... I got her all wrong." I stared at her, suspiciously. "Remember when she got pregnant? Well she told everyone that it was a one night stand ... but ... that wasn't exactly true."

"What do you mean?"

She finally looked at me, tears glistening over her big brown eyes. She gulped them back and continued. "Cato ... Cato r-raped her."

My eyes widened. I couldn't think for a few minutes. My heart was pounding, and my head suddenly throbbed. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to make sense of it all. Katniss watched me carefully. "I just," I stammered. "I knew Cato was-"

"A dick?" she finished.

I laughed. "Yeah, but ... I didn't think he would, you know, d-do anything so ..."

"Dickish?"

I gave her a look. "Alright, smartass, what does this have to do with your scar?" I gestured to her cheek.

She sighed and continued. "Okay, well, she broke down in the bathroom, and that's how I found out. I told Effie to come and help. I could see from the bruises on Glimmer's cheek that she'd been abused. When she told me Cato had raped her ... I l-lost it."

"What did you do?" I asked, slightly fearing the answer.

"I hit him."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, come on, Katniss, you're such a tease."

She stared at me. "You think I'm joking?"

My smile fell. "W-wait ... did he hit you? Is that why you've got that scar?"

Katniss sighed again and nodded. We stared at each other for several moments before I swung her legs off of me and rised to my feet. I grabbed my mobile off the side.

"What are you doing?"

"Calling the police," I muttered as I dialed 911 clumsily. Before I knew what was happening, she had snatched the phone out of my hand and took out my sim card. "Katniss!"

She held the sim card away from me. "No! Cato's been suspended anyway until this is all cleared up. Glimmer's safe, she's moving in with me and Johanna, and anyway, if you call the police, they will ask questions and you will have to tell them that I attacked him first, so just leave it!"

She breathed heavily after she'd finished her rant, and I paused, staring her out. She won, as always. I sighed and stretched a hand out to receive my phone and sim card. She handed them to me willingly.

I put my sim card back in my phone. "I swear, I will kill Cato the next time I see him."

"And end up in prison alongside my cousin?" Katniss questioned, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around my waist. "I love you too much to let that happen to you."

I smiled and kissed her forehead, my hands on her shoulders. "Love you more," I whispered.

"Love you most."

I grinned and waggled my eyebrows. She laughed along with me and collapsed on top of me on the sofa.