Gale's POV-

After the hearing my score I am satisfied it was right where I wanted to be. I knew if I got anything higher than an eight the careers would know I am hiding something and same being said if I got anything less than an eight. I know sponsors would have wanted to see a higher score but then again they have no cue on strategy. I head up to the roof it is the only place I can go to escape this reality. I know Katniss and Gloss will be up here soon since this is her escape as well. Some days I wish we could go back to before Katniss was in the arena when life was simple but then again was it ever simple. Katniss and I where risking our lives every day to feed our families. Right now all I can think is that in two days I will be in the arena. I have every intention on coming home. I will not let Snow think he could get rid of me that easily but then again knowing Snow he is probably hoping I make it out. If I become a Victor then he one more he can sell. He knows I won't even hesitate he know I will do everything to protect my loved ones. What Snow fails to realize is he underestimates me and all on the Victors. We are doing what needs to be done until the day we can fight back and that day is getting closer we all can feel it. Katniss started something that cannot disappear it has already started.

I could not tell you how long I have been up here wishing I was anywhere but here. I hate the Capitol everything about it is fake and over the top. I hear everyone coming up like I knew they would. First one to come into view is Katniss, Gloss and Haymitch following. Once we are all together I know it is time to go over the interviews even though we have all of tomorrow. They all come over to the ledge where I am sitting knowing I can't go over. Gloss comes over and sits on the ledge next to me. I am watching Katniss because out of everyone up here she looks like hell. Right now her eyes are glossed over and she is not focusing on anything. I also notice that Gloss keeps some part of his body on her at all times wither it is his leg, his shoulder or his hand. I watch him as he moves her tenderly so she is standing in front of him in between his legs. I can not remove my eyes away from them when she then moves closer to him so that her body is touching him at every point. With Gloss grabbing her hand with his and kisses it before wrapping them around her. I can see some relief in her eyes then she breaths out and relaxes just a little. Gloss notices that I am watching them at this point.

"Sorry Gale it was a bad day for her she is trying."

I wish I didn't know what that meant but I do it is what I will have to deal with if I make it out of the arena. They think I don't notice that every time any one of them comes back from an appointment they look like they are lost like they just lost another part of themselves. That is with a good appointment I have also noticed when they come back and are in pain. That was today I won't ask what happened I don't need to know the details I know enough to know that today was a bad day. When they came back I could see the pain in Katniss' eyes and I have noticed how Gloss had to have some sort of physical contact with her.

"Catnip you don't have to be strong right now not for me. I know you I know when you are hurt I can see it."

"Gale I have to otherwise I will fall apart."

I step closer to the two of them then whisper "Then fall apart. Catnip that is ok to do. You are allowed to fall apart sometimes." I notice she nods her head. I then look at Gloss "Go take her to your room. I don't know what happened today but I know something did. Go take care of her."

He nods his head as well and picks her up leaving us behind. I find Haymitch and look him right in the eye "This has to end for her we need to do something Haymitch. I can't just sit here and watch her die slowly."

"I know Gale and we won't I promise you we won't."

Katniss POV-

At dinner I try I really try to forget about what happened today. I try not to think about what we did about what they did but I can't. I just can't. I know I am still in pain for the last appointment I know Gloss is too I can see it in his eyes. I know he is trying to do the same thing I am but like me he is failing as well. He makes sure he is touching me at all times which I am thankful for. I need him right now more than anything. By the time we head to the roof I am starting to lose control. I notice Gale is watching us well mainly me. I don't know how long its been when he tells Gloss to take me back to the room. I can't tell anyone how much I wanted to just go and hide in the room and never come out. I feel Gloss pick me up and carry me down to our room. I sink my head into his collarbone holding on to his shirt in a death grip. He bends his head down and kisses my head.

"It will all be ok Kat. Do you want me to take you to Finnick or Cashmere?"

"No, I just want you right now." When we get to our room he sets me down on the bed. He then gets into the bed in the middle leans up against the headboard. Once he is settled he grabs me and pulls me into his lap holding on to me.

"Let it out, let it all out there is no one here you need to be strong for. I can handle you falling apart."

Gloss' POV-

I hold on to her as she just lets it all out. We have been sitting her for a while with her crying. We don't say anything I just hold her and keep her as safe as I can at the moment. Today was one of those days bad days the ones where you wish you died in the arena. I don't even know who people could do those things to other people. There were several times where we would have to remind each other why we were doing this. It took everything in me to stay there all I wanted to do was grab Katniss and run. I wanted to keep her safe. In the end it did not matter what I wanted all that mattered was what they wanted. We both know that if we try and stop it or fight then it is a hundred times worse for the other. I hold her close to me at the same time trying to be careful not to hurt her any more then she is already.

After our shower earlier I put cream on her back trying to heal the cuts on her back then she did the same for me. The thing about that is I know my back still feels like it is on fire along with my shoulder. That is when it dawns on me that it may not only be her back that is hurt. I move my fingers under her chin forcing her to look at me. "Katniss tell me the truth where do you hurt."

"Gloss I am not sure."

I can see her trying not to answer but then I look closer and notice that it is not that she is trying not to answer it is she does not know the answer. I look at her face closer and notice how glossed over her eyes are even though she has been crying. I notice she is in a long sleeve shirt I remove her shirt to search her body it than I notice all the bruises that have appeared since our shower. She has bruises on her ribs in the shapes of a man's hand, the cuts on her back are still red and open, her wrist are bruised you can see the hand prints there as well. Then I start looking up her arms and notice her left arm from her wrist to her shoulder is swollen. I go over to our closet finding a tank top that she can where that will not cover her arm. I walk back over to her and put her shirt on I notice she is still dazed. Then is hits me like ton of brinks before we left they gave both of us a drink and insisted we drink it.

I place her back in the bed "Kat I will be right back." I go and find Haymitch in his room. Right now I am pissed I could kill someone right now. When Haymitch opens his door he can see how pissed I am. "Gloss what is wrong?"

I try to talk but I am so mad that I cannot get a word out. "Ok take a deep breath and then tell me what's going on."

I do as I am told. "Haymitch they drugged her. That's why her eyes have been glossed over this whole time and why she could not me how badly she was hurt."

I watch as his face sinks and then almost as fast you can see the anger in his face. As his face shift from anger mine sinks as I realized I hurt her. I look at Haymitch knowing I have tears running down my face. "Haymitch I hurt her. I hurt her."

"Gloss no you didn't."

"But I did. They are my hand marks on her wrist and her arm is…"

"I don't care what you did. You need to listen right now boy you did not hurt her they forced you too. Now tell me what happened."

I know I still have tears going down my face but I don't care. "They… made be hold her wrists down. They were pissed they were not allowed to restrain us… When we were about to leave they were insisted we have a drink. Haymitch I did know…"

We walk back to our room and Katniss is still lying on the bed. He sits her up "Your right they without a doubt drugged her." He continues to examine her "Her arm maybe broken or dislocated. Anything else?"

I nod at him "Her back."

He walks back over to me "Gloss this is not your fault. Do you understand me?" He then places his hand on my shoulder and I wince without meaning to. He looks me over and then look at her and then back to me.

"Take it off. Let's see what you look like I can only image if she looks like this what you must look like."

I take my shirt off without questing I know he won't let me say no. I wince when I take my shirt off. He looks at me over. "Well I would say your shoulder is in pretty bad shape and you back is twice as bad as hers. Let's go both of you need a doctor. I will get her while you get yourself together. Gloss I still mean what I said this is not your fault you are in no better shape than her"

I put my shirt back on while Haymitch picks her up. "Haymitch we can't let Gale know. She does not want him to know. She should be the one to tell him."

"Ok, you go out first make sure he is not out there. If Effie is out there tell her to make sure Gale leaves Kat alone."

I go out and find Effie and catch her up. I know she will make sure and keep our secret. I go back to the room and let Haymitch know we are good. I stay close to them watching Katniss she has her head in the crook of his neck. We head down the elevator to the informatory.

Gale POV-

The next morning when I wake up there is no one around which is unusual. Normally I would see at least Haymitch or Effie in the morning. The only one I see today is Ivy and I have discounted her she has already given up. Today we will be prepping for the interviews. I go and sit and the table and notice Haymitch coming over. 'Where is Katniss and Gloss?"

"They won't be here for breakfast they had a long night."

I just nod my head I know he won't tell me anything. So I don't push him. "After breakfast Gale will work with Effie for presentation and Ivy with me for the interview questions. Then after lunch I will work with Gale and Ivy will work with Effie." Once breakfast is over Haymitch and Ivy go off to one of the rooms leaving Effie and I in the living room. When I know Haymitch and Ivy are far away I ask Effie "Are they ok?"

"They will be."

She keeps it nice and simple. For hours we go over how I need to act, behave and present myself on camera. This is the Effie that I cannot stand the one that drives me crazy. After hours she snaps "You two are the same you know that. Both of you are just as stubborn and unwilling to listen to anything I say." I do feel bad because I know that Effie is just trying to help me. It then I realize that we have been at this for hours its almost lunch time and we still have not seen Katniss or Gloss which means they are hear or they did not sleep her last night.

Gloss POV-

We finally are able to go back to our room late last night after both of us were attended to. We were right Katniss was drugged she also suffered a broken arm along with markings on her back. I on the other had dislocated by shoulder and my back had to be treated as well. We were both given capitol medicine to heal are backs, our arms and our bruises. They are not healed yet but they will be by the time we wake up. Until then I can't move my arm. They had to heal us because god forbid either one of us have a mark on us tonight. When we get back to our room I am still so mad at everyone but mainly I hate myself for what I did her. I place her in our bed but I can't seem to sleep I just pull the chair up to her and watch her sleep. I know I should sleep but I can't bring myself to sleep.

I hear a faint knock on our door I have no clue who it would be. I hurry up to the door not wanting Katniss to wake up. When I open the door I notice not only one person but there but two Cashmere and Brutus. Cashmere comes up to me

"Gloss I will stay with her go talk to Brutus." She comes up to me and hugs me with everything but also watching my shoulder.

"This is not your fault and remember that do not blame yourself." I just nod at her and walk up to the roof with Brutus. I know why Haymitch sent for him even in the middle of the night. Brutus is normally the only one who can calm be down.

"Gloss I know that everyone has told you that what happened to day was not your fault but I am not going to say it again. I know how you feel I have been in your shoes before. It is not one I envy and I know that the only one who will convince you of that is Katniss. I know this from experience. I know you won't see any sense until she can calm you down. But what I will do is be blunt with you. If you did not do what you did then she would have went through much worse. You know that is true. I know none of this is fair or even humane. The two of you will make it through this I promise you that."

When I go back to my room I find Cashmere in the bed with Katniss asleep. I refuse to wake either one of them up. I scoot in next to Katniss and fall asleep.

Katniss POV-

When I wake I am in bed, I know it must be late in the morning since I can see the light coming through the curtains. I can feel Gloss in the bed with me. I am confused about what happened last night. All I know is I was out of it for most of the night. I look to see what time it is and notice that it is almost lunch time. Then I see an envelope on the table by the bed and that is when I start panicking that maybe we missed an appointment. I grab the letter and open it.

Mr. Luxes and Ms. Abernathy,

I have decided to let you have the day off due to recent events. I hope you take advantage of the day and rest. You will be expected make quite an appearance today.

Snow

By the time I put the letter down Gloss is awake and sitting up. I know I need to know what all happened last night knowing he will tell me everything. I can also see that he feels guilty for something.

"Kat how are you today?"

"I am fine but I am confused about what happened last night." He looks around and notices the letter sitting in my lap he opens it and reads it.

"I think we could use a shower." I just nod to him.

When we get in the shower I know it will be a safe place to talk. I start to talk but Gloss bets me too it.

"I know you are confused about what happened last night. Katniss that last drink they gave us was drugged. They drugged you Kat, they actually drugged you. I didn't even realize until hours later. I didn't know. I hurt you Kat I actually hurt you. I am so sorry I never wanted any of this. This is my entire fault I should have done something."

I put my hands around his face holding him close to me. I sternly tell him "Gloss stop right this second. First things first you did not hurt me they did not you. I don't care if it was your hands you are not the one who did it. You and I both know what would have happened if you didn't. Do you understand me?"

I watch him nod his head I can see he is trying to believe it but he is not there yet. I know he is hurt and he is angry with himself. I notice that he is trying not to touch me. I look him in the eyes and grab his hands and place them on my face this time I tell him softly "Gloss don't blame yourself this is not your fault." He tries to stop me but I don't let him talk instead I kiss him with everything I have at the moment. It takes him a minute before he is let's go and live in the moment. By the time we are finished in the shower he has finally forgiven himself.

We walk hand in hand out to the front room knowing it is lunch time. I still don't know everything that happened last night but sometimes the details are not needed and this is one of those times. When we walk into the room all eyes turn to us we see three sets of eyes look questioning at us. I look at Haymitch and I can see worry in his eyes I close my eyes and nod to him letting him know that we are ok. The he tilts his head to the door and I shake my head letting him know we won't be leaving. I hear both Gale and Gloss chuckle both knowing Haymitch and I are having a silent conversation. Gale looks at Gloss "Don't you wish you could do that?"

Gloss responds back "Not many people can do that."

We all sit and eat lunch by the time we are through its time to prep for the interviews. Effie looks at me "Do you want to help Ivy prep for the Interview presentation?"

"Effie I thinks it is best if you do that you know how I am. We all know I am not really good with manners and posture."

Ivy then stands up and yells "Why would she help me it not like she is even going to help me make it out of the arena. Everyone here knows that she could care less if I die."

I don't even get the chance to respond when Gale stands up and yells back "Don't you dare yell at her about not helping you out. You are they one who gave up the moment you were reaped. You don't have any clue about her life so you don't get to stand here and judge her."

Gloss POV-

We all watch Ivy storm out of the room while Effie goes to follow her but not before she ask Gale If he had to say that which he just responds with yes. There are times like right now that Haymitch, Katniss, and Gale are so alike. They hall have the same personality they are all hostile, short tempered, strong willed and honest to a fault but at the end of the day they are compassionate, loyal and the love with everything in them. They would do anything for the ones to love but getting there love is not easy. I go over to Katniss and pull her into my arms "I need to go downstairs I better help Cashmere and Savoy with interview prep but I promise you I will be back in a couple of hours. Will you be ok?"

"I will be ok after all I have Haymitch and Gale here. Go I will see you soon." I give her a kiss before walking toward the elevator to head down to my floor. I run into Brutus on the elevator he just looks at me "I see she made you see reason this morning."

I laugh "Ya, she did wouldn't stop until I believed her and stopped blaming myself." He just laughs

"Told you she was the only one who would make you see reason."

When the doors open to my floor I see they are still eating lunch. I have been avoiding coming down here because every time I see Sterling I want to hit him. When I step through the door I hear Sterling say "Look who finally decided to show up decided to leave your whore for a minute."

I walk over to him picking him up from the front of his shirt putting my forearm up to his throat "you are lucky you are going into that arena tomorrow otherwise I would rip you apart."

Savory comes over to us and looks at Sterling "Do you have a death wish because you would never win in a fight with him especially if it is about Katniss."

Sterling just responds back with "just wait until I become a victor then we will see just how much a whore your girlfriend is. I just may have to take her out for a ride myself."

Savory just pushes me away knowing what I am about to do while Cash comes over and pulls me away from him. "Gloss go he is just trying to get you in trouble he knows what will make you snap. I will be up there as soon as I can"

Gale POV-

Katniss, Haymitch and I go back to his room to work on my interview questions even though we have already done this for months now. As soon as the door shuts I ask them "Ok so what happen yesterday and don't tell me not to worry about it."

Haymitch looks at Katniss "He has the right to know."

Katniss the throws her arms up I know she is not happy about the situation "Fine but not here."

We all go up to the roof where we can talk in a way I know I should not make Katniss tell me but then in another way I need to know. I know something happened at her appointment I don't know what but I want to know what could happen to me. This is something that we have never talked about the only time we talked about it was when she killed a Gamemaker. But we have never talked about what is going to be expected of me shall I become a victor. All I know is what ever could make Katniss come back like that has to be something big. "I know neither of you want to talk about this but I need to know."

"I will tell you anything you need to know. Katniss you should go rest before you need to get ready." We all turn around and see Gloss standing there.

I watch Katniss go over to Gloss and they talk for a moment before he gives her a kiss then she walks away. Gloss then comes over to Haymitch and I "I have nothing better to do right now if I stay on my floor I would probably end up killing my tribute. I already shoved him into the wall who know what I would have done if Savoy and Cash. "I understand his need to know plus last night was pretty bad. He should know what will happen. Haymitch you can stay or you can go back down to Katniss."

Before Haymitch leaves he tells Gloss "You're right He should know some of the details not all but some"

"Gale, Haymitch is right I won't tell you everything there are something that you are better off not knowing. I know this must be hard. But as you know if you will then you will be required to do this as well as for when who knows most of us didn't have to start until our tour but Katniss she was required to do it the next day. I am not going to lie to you there are days where I wished I died in the arena and I know that everyone of us have thought that.

Gloss tells me everything I wanted to know even some that I didn't want to know. I thought I was disgusted with the whole situation before but now I am even more than before. I cannot believe that they have gone through this time after time. I am not sure I can do what I need to do. When I tell Gloss my fears he reminds me why I will do it and why they all do it. I know he is right I will do it there is no doubt in my mind when the time comes I will do it. If that is what he feels he can tell me I truly wonder what he is holding back. When he talks I can see the pain in his eyes I can hear it in his voice. My hate for the Capitol and Snow has only increased since knowing the truth. I now understand why Katniss could never tell me this herself. I don't blame her either I am not sure I could say it out loud. I know I need to forget about this for the time being I need to get focused on my interview and then on the arena