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Sacrifice

Chapter Twenty

Written by: kmac13

1/16/13

Once up on the makeshift stage Katniss shook with fear and guilt, knowing she made it out of the impossible only because other people valued her life above theirs. One of these people was her district mate, Peeta and she knows that although he may have given up his life for her gladly and willingly other people didn't see it that way. Scanning the crowd for a warm face she spots Peeta's dad who gives her a weak smile, but glancing directly next to him she sees his mother and brothers who look as if she is still just a Seam rat and should've been killed in the arena just like Peeta.

Katniss looks behind her to get some reassurance from her mentor and he just tips his chin up at her. She rolls her eyes as this is the best he can do for her. As soon as the mayor has finished his rather enthusiastic speech for her, she takes the microphone and gives the speech that was scripted for her. She has a speech for each District, each one pretty much saying the same thing with some personal touches thrown in here and there. As she drones on and on she is sickened with herself as she says these flagrant lies. She knows if she were in the crowd and listening to this speech she would be ready to hurl from all the pro-Capitol propaganda she is spewing.

"The Capitol is truly gracious to allow a winner."

"We should all look on to this as a blessing from the benevolent President Snow."

"If we work hard and follow the rules this proves that the Capitol will favor us."

She can feel the word vomit coming and is trying her hardest to keep her thoughts at bay, but they soon start falling out in a waterfall of emotions that will do no one any good. "Peeta shouldn't have been put in this situation. He was kind and good, he would have had a wonderful future if it weren't for the games and I am truly blessed having known him and…and…Hey?" She shouts as she is being pulled off the stage by Cato and taken into the Justice building were Haymitch and Brutus are looking at her with a sick twist of pride and anger.

"Why did you just drag me off?!" She yells as Cato puts her down on her flailing legs.

"Good job putting yourself and loved ones in more danger Sweetheart. Lucky for you the minute you went off course of your script the cameras were shut off so you couldn't do more damage." He watches her as reality of her rash decision comes crashing down.

"Oh God. What will he do?" She all but gasps out.

"Hopefully not much as it was controlled and it is just District Twelve, not a more beneficial district. He will just give you a warning I assume. You aren't the first to start rambling on stage." Brutus answers her knowing Snow will most likely send her a threatening warning, but the next slip up and he will start taking lives.

Katniss is now in a squatted ball on the ground shaking with fear and adrenalin. It had felt good to get that off her chest, but now she is in pure fear of what her verbal vomit will do to her loved ones. Cato gently scoops up his frightened wife and holds her in his lap like a small child, rocking her back and forth. "Prim." Is all she whispers and Cato looks up to Haymitch. Haymitch already knowing he needs to get the young girl slides out the doors unnoticed and heads towards where her family were sitting.

"I'm sorry I screwed everything up." She whispers into Cato's neck. He kisses her temple and continues to hold her.

"You didn't, just be more careful with what you say in public, alright baby." He says as she nuzzles her face more into his neck, if at all possible she would try to crawl into his skin so she wouldn't ever be on her own again.

When Haymitch returns he has her sister, mother and the Hawthornes in tow. Katniss jumps out of Cato's arms and runs to her sister. As she embraces the younger girl she says she is sorry over and over again. Too soon Effie comes in and announces the festivities are starting and that all of their presences are required immediately.

Upon seeing Katniss's ruined makeup Effie shrieks, "What happened? You look a mess?!...Cinna, Cinna! Fix her she can't go out looking like a train wreck!"

Having been fixed up Katniss and Cato make their way to the party. All eyes are on her with an undercurrent of pride that she actually said something, stood for something. Seeing Madge is a good thing for Katniss. It takes away some of the pressure she is feeling, seeing someone who doesn't outwardly treat her differently.

"Hey Madge." Katniss says quietly as she always addressed the other outcast.

"Hey Katniss good to see you. How are things?" Madge responds with a small friendly smile, taking a quick glance at the large man standing behind Katniss.

Madge had been one of the few District Twelve girls who did not fawn over the massive young man when he came for his victory tour. She wasn't blind to his good looks but wasn't one to fawn over some guy anyway. She also wasn't in the least bit surprised when he decided he wanted Katniss. Madge was more aware of what was going on around her. She never really cared for gossip and didn't participate in it, but she did observe closely all that she came in contact with. She knew Katniss was desired by both Seam and Town boys, even if Katniss was completely unaware. She saw the way Gale would track Katniss's every move as if she were his prey, the way Peeta would sit in class and stare at Katniss while he was daydreaming, she heard the passing conversations of some of the other boys on the elusive girl no one could get. Unlike the rest of the girls in the district she didn't harbor any jealousy towards Katniss. Katniss had always allowed her to sit with her, even if they never talked too much; they bonded over not being like the others. Madge, as the mayor's daughter, was out casted because she was of a higher status and the others were both jealous and a little leery of her. Katniss didn't even try to fit in as Madge had. She stayed to herself and didn't even care that she was not a part of the rest of the school. If she had cared though it is doubtful she would have had many friends due to the fear she instilled in people and the vapid jealously.

"I've been…" Katniss shrugs and smirks as this has always been her answer. Both girls smile at each other before Katniss asks, "You?"

"Oh you know…" Madge shrugs back. Cato looks on at the two girls completely confused as to their interactions. "You haven't introduced me to your husband yet." Madge says as she takes in Cato's face.

"Sorry. Cato this is Madge, we used to sit together in lunch and some classes. Madge this is Cato." Katniss introduces quickly.

"Nice to meet a female friend of my wife's." Cato says looking sideways at Katniss, trying to make the point that she doesn't need to have Gale be her friend and he would rather she be closer to Madge.

"Well since she only has two of us she would consider friends and one is a boy and I'm a girl, I think your odds of meeting a female friend for her is fifty/fifty." Madge says back causing Katniss to stifle a laugh.

Madge looks around the room and her eyes land on a familiar sight; Gale staring at Katniss. She shakes her head trying for the life of her to understand how that boy is so stubborn. Katniss's eyes widen as a broad shouldered blonde who looks eerily similar to Peeta comes and wraps his arms around Madge causing her to jump. "Hey Bran. You have met Katniss before and this is her husband Cato." She introduces.

"Let's get away from them. She killed my brother and he is a heartless monster. You shouldn't be seen with such trash. My mother will have a coronary." Bran says like he is trying to whisper, but knows he is loud enough for Katniss and Cato to hear. Madge freezes as though he had just thrown cold water on her. She had been dating Peeta's older brother, who is the same age as Gale, for the last six months. He had proposed and his mother is most pleased with the pairing. Madge on the other hand loves Bran, but does not always appreciate the hateful things that come from his mouth or his mother's for that matter.

"I am fine right where I am. You can leave if you are going to be so rude." Madge says. Bran is about to argue back but Katniss interjects before he can say something else. Cato is bristling behind her pulling her into his side to keep from attacking this guy who is upsetting his wife.

"Madge it's okay. Cato and I need to go say hello to a few other people. It was nice seeing you again."

"Okay." Madge looks down then quickly back up as she grabs Katniss into a hug, whispering into her ear, "I know you didn't kill him and so does Bran. We both know Peeta would have laid down his life for you no matter what." She pulls away and looks into Katniss's eyes mouthing bye as she turns to walk away with Bran.

Katniss all of a sudden wanting to get away from the party looks up at Cato, her eyes pleading for him to take her away. He nods and holds onto her waist steering them out of the crowded center and towards the train where they will be staying. Shutting the door behind him he moves to the bathroom and lights some candles while he fills the tub with soothing bath oils and hot water. As soon as the bathroom is set up he starts undoing his tie and shirt as he walks out towards Katniss. She lay on the bed completely shattered from the stress of everything. Pulling her up gently so she is sitting he kneels down before her shirtless and takes off her shoes. Running his hands up the outside of her legs until they reach her ass he pulls her into standing. He glides her dress up off her body slowly taking in each inch of skin as it is revealed. She stands in only her barely there panties and he slowly hooks his fingers around the lace pulling it down her toned legs. She steps out of them as he makes quick work of removing his pants.

Once they are both completely free from the constricting dress clothes, Cato pulls her flush against himself and brings her up closer to his lips. As his latch onto hers they both moan in unison, both melding into the other as hands feel for each other. Once neither one of them has any more air left in their lungs they break apart panting. Cato grabs her hand and pulls her into the bathroom. They sink into the tub, her back to his chest. His arms and legs wrapped around her. They both relax as he kisses her neck and shoulders and she runs her fingers up and down his thighs.

He turns her around in the tub to face him and gently with the cloth washes the makeup off her already flawless face. "There. There is my beautiful Kat." He says once her face is completely void of anything artificial. She smiles coyly at him. "Do you know how much self-control I had to demonstrate today?" He asks her. She shakes her head no, although she has an idea. "If I saw one more boy look at you like they could eat you alive, I was going to beat the shit out of them. All of this…" He says running his hands all over her body, "is mine."

She leans up and kisses him passionately as she wraps her arms around his neck and runs her hands through his hair. Climbing onto his lap she slowly slides into place on top of him making him moan loudly as she starts to ride him slowly never breaking their kiss. His hands move to her hips and hold on to her. Breaking the kiss his mouth move across her face, along her jaw and down her neck. His hands moving up to find her breasts as she picks up pace, harmonious moans escaping her lips as she comes closer and closer to climax. He follows her as her center milks him to release. Both lay in the water as they catch their breath before drying off and climbing into bed.

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