The following day, Gale and his team set out to search for and bring in the suspects. He had one of his female investigators, Janessa Wolstein, stay with Delly. It not only put her more at ease but himself as well.He watched over her all night. This woman that he once was indifferent to because of her father's wealth and position in District Twelve had somehow tugged at his heart. He felt an overwhelming need to protect her; to get lost in her eyes. What the hell was happening to him?
They found the first suspect as he was leaving his house that morning. "Lenny Vectross?" The man was just as Katniss had described. He wore a friendly smile when greeting Gale and the two other officers accompanying him.
"Good morning, yes, that's me. What can I do you for?" He was not acting a bit flustered at being approached by 3 law enforcement officers.
"They was an incident about two weeks back and we would like you to accompany us back to the Justice building to discuss it. Come with us at your own without incident or we will have no other choice but to cuff you." Peters, Gale's second in command announced to the man. Lenny put his hands up m, showing no resistance.
"You got it, boss. Although, I do not know for what I am being questioned. I don't recall anything happening in Twelve two weeks ago." They got in the awaiting jeep and drove to the Hall of Justice.
"Sir?" Gale heard on the com-link.
"This is Hawthorne. What's going on Jensen?"
"Sir, we found another suspect, a Mister Barry Wilkinson. He was leaving the apothecary and came without incident. We are headed your way."
"Great, we are just pulling up to the Justice building." The man sitting next to him stiffened.
"Another suspect? Wait, you don't think I did something, do you? I was a Peacekeeper buddy. I took my job seriously. Just because I'm just a carpenter now don't mean I'm not still in my protective mindset. I was great at my job." Lenny pleaded. "I read to orphans for goodness sake. I wouldn't hurt a fly."
"How do you know someone was hurt?" Asked Jacobs, another officer in the jeep.
"I...I don't! It's just an expression!" Lenny was getting agitated and Gale could feel him tremble next to him. He was scared.
"Well, let us have a chat then." Gale grabbed Lenny around his bicep as they walked up the steps to the building.
Katniss was grateful for Randy. He was working extra shifts to help out as Delly was dealing with her assault. Peeta and her talked the night before and agreed that he deserved a bonus for helping them out. As the morning rush died down, Peeta pulled Randy to the back. Katniss was wiping down the counter when she heard Randy yell out, "Wow! Mr. Melark! That's really not necessary! I'm happy to help, but thank you so much." The sincerity in his voice brought a smile to her face.
The bell rang and Garrett entered. Katniss stiffened. He was one of the suspects for Delly's assault. She had no way of contacting Gale. Not wanting to have him feel suspicious, she greeted him with a smile. "Good afternoon, Garrett. What brings you in this afternoon? It's not Saturday." He only shrugged then looked around.
"Just you today?" He asked quietly not meeting her eyes.
"No, my husband is in the back with Randy. Delly is out for a few days. Feeling under the weather. What can I get you?" He ordered a turkey club, so Katniss excused herself to the back to make it.
"Randy can you watch the front." Randy nodded then said his thanks once more and left.
"Garrett is out there!" She hissed to Peeta. Peeta went to the phone hanging in the wall and called Delly's. Officer Wolstein answered on the third ring. Peeta told her that one of the suspects was in the bakery so she could notify Gale. Katniss made his sandwich and brought it out to his table where Randy was serving him a glass of water.
He was talking too quietly to Randy so Katniss couldn't hear what he was saying. She kept looking out the window for the SUV to pull up with Gale or one of his officers. Randy walked over to where Katniss was standing. "You okay, boss?" He could see the anxiety all over her face. The door opened and a new customer came in. Randy looked at Katniss with concern then greeted the lady that came to the counter to order some fresh loaves of bread and some pastries.
Garrett was almost finished his sandwich. Where the Hell was Gale? Katniss decided to distract the man. She walked over to ask how everything was to which he grunted his approval. Then he asked, "What's wrong with the girl? The pretty blonde?" He was asking about Delly.
"Why would you think something was wrong with Delly?" She asked trying to mask her suspicions of him.
"You said she's feeling under the weather. I just assumed that meant she was ill being as the meaning of your words means she is sick. Do you know what's wrong with her? Is she with child?" Katniss felt alarms going off in her head.
Why would he automatically assume Delly was pregnant if he didn't know that she was raped? Katniss felt her stomach turn. "I'm sorry, but even if I had that kind of information about Delly's condition, that wouldn't be any of your business, Garrett." Katniss went to back away, and the man grabbed ahold of her wrist.
Looking up into her eyes through his own narrowed ones, he actually said, "It would be if the child was mine." Then he let go of her wrist and stood up to leave, throwing money on the table. Just then Gale opened the bakery door and almost ran into him.
"That's him, Gale!" She yelled as the man tried barrelling past Gale. He took him down by tackling him to the ground as they stumbled out the door to the street.
"Stop resisting!" She heard Gale yell out. Peeta came out from the back and held Katniss in his arms. Her wrist was bruising where Garrett had grabbed her. They watched as it took Gale and another officer to cuff Garrett and throw him in the jeep. Gale came inside to check on Katniss.
"He basically admitted it!" She said as he entered the bakery again. She told Gale everything that Garrett said to her then Randy told them all what the man had said to him.
"I mean, the guy hardly ever talks so when he did, I was shocked." Randy sat at a table with Gale regaling him with what transpired. "He called me over and wanted to know where Delly was. I told him that she hadn't been quite herself that past few weeks and then a couple days ago, Katniss and Thom took her home and she's been gone ever since, so I've been covering her shifts."
Randy looked uneasy then said the next part, "Then he asked me if I've ever 'had' her. I was speechless, I mean, what kind of question is that? Then he said he wanted her, so could I tell him where to find her. I only shook my head and said I didn't know where she was staying. That's when I walked away and saw you, Mrs. Mellark." Gale thanked him for his statement then left with the other officer and Garrett in the jeep.
That night, Gale sent his team back to Two with Garrett Jackson for his incarceration. He'd admitted to stalking Delly Cartwright for weeks before getting up enough nerve to talk to her at the bakery. She was sweet and beautiful and actually talked to him. He'd asked her out but was denied. That night he waited for her to get off her shift at the bakery and lock up. Then as she passed by the apothecary, he grabbed her and pulled her into the dark alley.
"She was feisty, fought me off, scratched my neck, but the reward was worth it. I hit her head against the ground and she stopped struggling. She was tight, a sweet peach, a virgin and I filled her with my seed." He smirked and Gale had to be held back from strangling the sick bastard. "My child will grow strong inside of her." He taunted Gale; like he wanted him to hit him.
"Well, sorry to ruin your dream Mr. Jackson, but Miss Cartwright's testing came back negative for pregnancy." Officer Peters announced. Garret's grin fell at the news. "And congratulations, you'll be going away for a long time. Now get the fuck up. We're going on a trip."
That night, Gale stayed with Delly in her home. He didn't want to leave her alone just yet. He couldn't help the pull he'd had to her. They had just sat down for dinner that Gale had made for them; just a chicken stew, nothing fancy. "So, what happens now?" Delly asked after he told her about Garrett being taken to Two after his confession.
"He will be sent to one of the work camps for at least 15 years, but I am hoping to get him the maximum sentence of 30 years. What he did to you, well I just wish murder was not illegal or he'd be dead." Gale wanted to strangle him until there was no life left in his body.
Delly finished her bowl of stew and watched Gale. He was the one she'd saved herself for. He was the only man she'd ever been attracted to. He was always Katniss's surly friend; brooding and mad at the world, but damn if he wasn't the most beautiful disaster she'd ever laid eyes on. He'd been so sweet to her, so attentive. It made her stomach ache knowing he'd be leaving tomorrow afternoon.
"What time does your train leave tomorrow?" He heard her ask. Gale lifted his eyes to meet hers. Fuck! He wished he could stay.
"The last train leaves at 2:15, so I guess I'll be taking that one. Why? Eager to get rid of me?" He teased but she must've thought he was serious because her face went red and she spluttered her drink.
"No! Not at all, Gale!" He smirked and shook his head.
"Just messing with you Cartwright, calm down." Delly stuck her tongue out at him then giggled. Gale wanted to tell her what he'd like her to do with that tongue but held back not wanting to offend her. He thought he heard her mutter the word 'ass' as she stood up and brought her bowl to the sink and chuckled at her cuss. He got the overwhelming urge to lay his cards out on the table, so to speak.
"Katniss sent over some lemon bars if you would like one for dessert. Maybe we can sit by the fire. Talk for a bit. I mean, I am leaving tomorrow and all but that doesn't mean we can't still be friends. I, um, I have my own landline in my apartment on Two if you think maybe you might like to call me sometime." Delly looked surprised to say the least. She was surprised.
Gale was nervous. She had never seen him nervous and it was because of her? She didn't believe it. Maybe he just thought she needed a friend because he pitied her. "Gale, you don't need to be nice to me because of what happened to me. I know you never really cared for me."
"What? Delly that's not what this is. I swear." Gale stood up and walked to where Delly stood at the kitchen sink. He took her hand and led her to the sofa in her living room. They sat next to each other with Gale sitting turned towards her. "I can't really explain it, but the moment I saw you the other night, I felt a pull towards you. Delly, I want to be with you." She felt her heart start to beat wildly in her chest.
"I know I live in another district but it's only a three hour train ride." They both laughed at the ridiculousness of his statement. He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "Delly?"
"Hmm?" Delly looked up into his grey eyes and knew this man was her future.
"You think you could give me a chance?" She answered him with a sweet kiss. "So, that's a maybe?" They laughed again, then curled up together on the sofa and ate lemons bars and talked all night.
"Oh fuck! Thom! Oh fuck!" Joanna screamed out as she climaxed. Thom had come over to talk which then led to a snogging session on the couch and inevitably sex. Thom withdrew himself from her, kissing her once more before heading to the bathroom to freshen up. By the time he came back, she was snoring softly with a contented smile on her face.
Joanna Mason was the most fierce and beautiful woman he'd ever met. He loved her. This time he was not letting her leave. He'd had the ring tucked in his flannel shirt pocket. Thom wanted to make her his wife, make her his family. He pulled the ring from his pocket and curled around her body. "Joanna?" He heard her grunt. "You awake?"
"I am now." She mumbled and he saw her smirk.
"I have a question for you." Thom leaned over so that he was looking down on her.
"I already told you, you could do that next time." Thom shook his head.
"NOT what I was talking about, but yay. No, I'm afraid I have a, well, a request really, rather than a question. When we met all those months ago, I would not have predicted how madly in love with you I have fallen." Joanna's playful smile changed to a grin.
"You love me?" She asked to which Thom nodded his head. "Good because I've fallen in love with you. Never thought it would happen. I've watched Peeta and Katniss with their happy life and not even a thought of finding a love that strong."
"Then will you grant me my request then?" He slid the ring onto her finger. "Marry me. Stay here in Twelve. Make a life with me. Because I don't ever want to live another day without you next to me."
Joanna kissed him with everything she had. Once they pulled away from each other, she told him. "Of course."
A/N: I'm back! Can't believe I forgot to update this!