Disclaimer: characters do not belong to me

I also changed the rating to T for the time being, it might be changed back to M at a later time.

Chapter 3-District 9

The train ride seemed an eternity Katniss. She mostly sat in silence with Peeta holding her hand. Her mother didn't say much as she sat across from them. Mrs. Everdeen knew Katniss wasn't happy with her and was only doing this to appease Peeta. It wasn't that Katniss didn't think she needed help, she knew she did, but her stubborn nature and unwillingness to be looked upon as weak got in the way. If left to her devices she knew she would have just stayed in District 12 and tried to deal with her issues on her own. She knew deep down, she couldn't deal with them. However, it didn't mean she had to go clear across Panem to District 9 and leave Peeta. They needed each other, she wasn't sure if he would be okay without her. She couldn't help but feel this intervention by Peeta and her mother has resulted in her being held hostage. It was hard for her to be mad at Peeta though, and instead channeled that anger at her mother for this suggestion in the first place. She knew it was unfair to be mad at one and not the other. But she didn't care.

When they finally made it to the train station, Katinss was taken aback when her mother said her and Peeta would be staying behind and that she would be taken to Rain on her own.

"The arrangements were made by Rain. Considering she is doing this as a favor to me I didn't think it was appropriate to question what she was doing" her mother stated as Katniss started to protest.

"It'll be okay Katniss" Peeta said encouragingly. "Here-I brought some things that might help you not be as homesick". He handed to her a small bag. She put it in her larger bag and hugged Peeta for what seemed like several minutes not wanting to let go. When she finally did he said to her, "good luck and remember to do this for yourself, not for me".

She didn't want to respond to that. She leaned forward and kissed him, he returned the kiss sweetly but Katniss could feel tears form in his eyes. She took his face in hers and said, "I'll be back as soon as I can".

"Don't rush anything, remember what I told you. You love me-true or false?" he said holding back tears.

"True" she said without hesitation.

"Then please remember what I said."

"Okay" she whispered. She too felt she was about to burst into tears so she turned instead to her mother and briefly hugged her. "Thanks for coming to see me in 12". She didn't want to thank her for bringing her here.

"Anything for you Katniss, just because we don't speak that often doesn't mean I never stopped loving you. I missed you, I hope someday we can get back what we lost". Katniss thought over what she said, she seriously doubted she could ever totally forgive her mother for all that has happened between them, but maybe they could be closer. That thought comforted her.

"You better go now, your ride is over there" her mother pointed to a small car off to the left with a driver leaning on it.

Katniss gave Peeta another quick kiss and hug and she laid a hand on her mother's shoulder and squeezed it. Her way of saying goodbye. She walked over the driver and while he was putting her luggage in the trunk she looked over to them one last time.

When the car drove off, Peeta turned to Mrs. Everdeen and said, "I can't help but have this feeling the next time I see her things between us will not be the same."

"You know Katniss, she is fiercely loyal to the ones she loves and she loves you Peeta".

"That's what concerns me Mrs. Everdeen. There was another person in Katniss's life she was loyal to and loved, even though she would never admit it". He couldn't bring himself to say his name. Six months ago he never would have thought this person would be a factor, but if Katniss learns to forgive and let go of the past, would she forgive him? What would happen then? He didn't want to think about it.

Mrs. Everdeen didn't know what to say. But she knew Peeta was right, she felt though she had to say something to make him feel more at ease.

"Gale is still in District 2. He sends me letters from time to time. He is doing well and has a girlfriend. In fact, he is engaged. He plans to stay in District 2 and his family is there with him. I can't imagine anything would happen beyond the two of them reconciling as friends".

Peeta turned and gave her a small smile, he appreciated her kindness to try to make him feel better but it didn't. He knew he wouldn't feel better until Katniss came back to him.

"Come on, let's go sit and wait for our train back" he said changing the subject. They would both be taking different trains home. Mrs. Everdeen back to District 4 and Peeta back to District 12.

Katniss however was driving further into District 9, her heart beating fast with the unknown of what was to happen next.