Peeta's throat had gone dry, his palms sweating, and yes, he felt like he might pass out.

His wife's best friend and secret hunting partner glared at him in hatred. Oh he knew Gale hated the fact that Katniss had married him. He knew how Gale felt about merchants, and he imagined peacekeepers weren't too high on his list of favorite people.

"This is the man responsible?" He finally found his voice.

"No," Gale spat. "But these assholes need someone to blame, so here I am!" One of the men hit him with a baton and Gale grimaced but did not make a sound. Peeta frowned and glanced at both peacekeepers.

"What evidence do you have that he is involved?"

"We found red paint outside his house, sir."

"Call the fucking Capitol, everyone with red paint must be dragged to the whipping post," Gale rolled his eyes. The baton made a cracking noise over his shoulders that made Peeta wince.

"Keep your mouth shut, Hawthorne," Peeta said coldly. "Unless you want stripes across your back."

"I don't doubt you would be the one to put them there, Mellark." Damn it, Gale shut up! Peeta tried to give him a warning look but Gale was staring at the ceiling.

"Who is assigned this case?"

"I am, Lieutenant," Darius stepped forward. Thank God, Peeta sighed. Darius was logical and fair. He nodded and set his jaw.

"Alright. Peacekeeper Murphy, you'll come with me to question the culprit. Who made the arrest?"

"I did," snarled a large blonde man with cold blue eyes. Peeta had seen him in 2 but hadn't interacted with him much.

"Very good. You'll join Peacekeeper Murphy and me. I want everyone else to clear out of here after the meeting, understood?" They all nodded and Cray's hands lingered behind his back.

"I'll make this meeting brief. Tomorrow we will have some guests from the Capitol. Do as you're told, do not give them any reason to question our loyalty. District 12 is in enough trouble as it is so I don't need one of my younger Peacekeepers to embarrass me. Is that clear?"

"Yes Commander," they all muttered.

"Off to your duties. Lieutenant Mellark, I'll expect an update when you're finished."

"Of course sir." Cray lumbered out of the barn, the rest of them following behind. It seemed that Cray was drunk; he stumbled the same way Abernathy did. Darius made sure the door was closed before he returned to stand at Peeta's side.

"Right. Peacekeeper Jacobson, you say you made the arrest. Do you have evidence, other than the red paint?"

"Darius and I talked to a few neighbors. Since it was still light out when the incident happened, a couple of people claimed they saw a tall dark man hurrying away from the barracks with a bucket of paint in his hand. Another witness actually named him."

"The witness identified Gale Hawthorne?"

"Yes sir. And when we went to question Hawthorne, we found this bucket and a wet paintbrush thrown into the bushes. We asked his mother if she had seen him last night but she says he was working in the mines. However, the mines close down before sun down. So where was he if he didn't go home to his mama?"

"You condescending piece of sh-"

"Hawthorne," Peeta barked. "That's enough. Now why don't you tell me your side of the story?"

"Nothing to tell. I got out of work and stopped by the Hob for a drink, like I do every day."

"Can anyone confirm this?"

"Ripper served me two drinks before I went home." Peeta nodded to Darius, who was scribbling down notes.

"And the paint?"

"Ma wants our house repainted. Paint is damn expensive so I tried to make my own. But our neighbor's cat got into it and it poisoned the animal. So I threw it out, telling Ma I would go buy some from town this week." It sounded true enough but Peeta knew there was something Gale wasn't saying. He could tell when people were lying and right now, he knew Gale wasn't being entirely truthful.

"That doesn't explain why witnesses saw you near the Lieutenant's house."

"Do you know how many times I have been mistaken for another Seam boy, and vice versa? We all look the same in the Seam. It wasn't me they saw."

"Gale, did you have a drink with anyone at the Hob," Darius asked softly.

"Nah. The guys decided to head home. I needed a drink before I went home to three starving siblings and one dying mother." Gale shrugged, the chains at his wrists clinking.

"Look, even if I was stupid enough to vandalize a peacekeeper's house… Katniss is my best friend. Why would I write that shit on her house?"

"You're familiar with the words that were left there?"

"Same words that charming Jacobson here yelled at my baby sister when she tried to stop him from taking me this morning." Jacobson whacked Gale in the head and Peeta stiffened.

"That's enough, Soldier."

"You don't believe a Seam rat, do you? They're all the same, always lying and thieving."

"I said that's enough," Peeta said angrily. "Peacekeeper Murphy, you and Jacobson go to the Hob and ask Ripper if she saw Gale yesterday. I'll question him further, alone." Jacobson looked like he wanted to protest but Darius gave him a look and the two quickly marched from the barn, their guns at their side. Gale glared at Peeta and scoffed.

"Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do here, Mellark."

"And what's that," Peeta replied tiredly.

"You think you have to protect me because of Katniss. Well fuck that. I don't need your protection."

"Great. So you want me to have you beaten so that you're in no condition to provide for your family?" Gale spat on the ground.

"Fuck you. We don't need charity from a peacekeeper. A Merchant peacekeeper."

"Yeah, I know that bothers you a lot. That Katniss chose to marry a Merchant." Gale snorted.

"Chose? She didn't choose you. You forced her to marry you." Peeta's face darkened.

"I would never-"

"She thought she had no other choice but to marry a peacekeeper to keep her family fed. But I could have taken care of her."

"Ohhh so that's it, is It? She rejected your proposal of marriage and married me instead." Gale's face screwed up with rage.

"You Merchants are all the same! You take Seam girls to the Slag Heap, call them sluts, and leave them crying in the street. You'll get tired of Katniss after you've fucked her once or twice, leave her-" his words were cut off as his head flew in the opposite direction. Blood poured from his nose as Peeta flexed his fists.

"You don't know a goddamn thing about me, Hawthorne, so just shut up right now. I don't need to explain myself to you but since you actually care about Katniss, I'll tell you I love her. I have always loved her and everything I've done, has been for her." He took a step back as Gale lifted the back of his hand to his nose.

"Now, you need to get your shit together and tell me the truth, before they come back. I'll do what I can to keep you away from the whipping post. So I'll ask again. Tell me your side of the story."

"Are you deaf? I already told you-"

"I don't believe you. You're hiding something and you need to tell me. You can trust me."

"Like hell I can," Gale scoffed.

"Who are you covering for? Are they really worth it?"

"You've been drinking too much of that Capitol shit. I told you what happened. Simple as that."

"And when Darius talks to Ripper, is she going to say she served you drinks last night?" Both boys were silent.

"Ripper likes me," Gale shrugged as if that settled it.

"Ripper isn't stupid. She works in the black market and needs to keep her head low. Especially since we are about to have new peacekeepers who will start to crack down. The Hob isn't safe. You hunting in the woods isn't safe."

"What's it to you? Why do you care what I do?"

"Because I'll be the one trying to comfort Katniss when you get shot for hunting! Damn it, Gale, she cares about you. So I have to as well. Level with me and tell me the fucking truth."

"I can't." Peeta sighed and watched Gale flex his wrists.

"Can't or won't?"

"Both. Look it was a really stupid prank gone bad. And I was coming over to talk to Katniss, to apologize for being an ass to her, when I saw… I'm not a snitch so I'm not going to tell you who it was. But they've been in enough trouble lately so if they were caught, they would be shot for sure. I took the paint and tried to throw it out. Told them to lie low and if it came down to it, I'd take the blame."

"It was your brother," Peeta said quietly. Gale's eyes flashed and narrowed.

"I never said-"

"Who else would you risk a whipping for? One of your younger brothers got mad at Katniss for marrying me and decided to get back at her. But you caught him, told him to stay quiet, and you tried to dispose of the evidence. Not too well, I might add."

"You're crazy," was all Gale said. But Peeta could see the worry in his eyes. He should have known immediately. He wouldn't let his younger brothers take the fall.

Peeta ran his hands through his hair and drew a deep breath.

"Alright. Here's what we're going to do."


When Darius and Jacobson returned, Jacobson was wearing an evil smile.

"Lieutenant Mellark, we spoke with the old woman."

"And?"

"Ripper said she never saw Gale Hawthorne in the Hob last night," Darius said quietly. Peeta sighed and nodded.

"Ok. I've already decided I won't press charges. Since it's Hawthorne's first offence, I'll let him off with a warning and-"

"A warning," Jacobson snarled.

"And a fine," Peeta finished, his eyes flashing. "Case closed. Darius, you can escort Hawthorne to the Justice Building to fill out the proper forms."

"Did he confess to it?" They knew the fine would be less if he confessed to the crime but Peeta still couldn't get him to say or write a confession.

"Try again," he said quietly and Darius nodded in understanding. Perhaps Gale would open up more to Darius.

Peeta had told him he would drop the charges but there would still be a fine and that angered Gale. Peeta knew the Hawthornes were poor but that was the best he could do without whipping him or taking him out of work. He had told Gale that he would bring them some food later that day but Gale had spit on the ground and glared.

"We won't take your charity, Mellark."

Maybe Katniss would have more luck. Jacobson turned from Darius to Peeta and shook his head.

"You're just going easy on him because your new wife is one of them!" Darius and Peeta both froze.

"Jacobson," Darius said warningly.

"One of those Seam brats! Seam girls are good for two things, Mellark. One is her mouth. The other is under her-" the peacekeeper went flying into the wall with a yelp and Darius jumped in front of Peeta.

"Peeta, calm down," he implored, holding his hands up. Peeta's eyes were black with rage, his fists clenched by his sides.

"Some Peacekeeper," Jacobson grunted from the floor, his hand stemming the blood from his nose. "Just wait til the new peacekeepers get here tomorrow. You'll wish you hadn't done that, Mellark."

"You want another black eye, Jacobson," Darius growled, his hands on Peeta's shoulders.

"You're dismissed for the day, Jacobson," Peeta said through gritted teeth. "A full day without pay. Report for duty tomorrow." Jacobson gaped at the

peacekeepers.

"You heard our Lieutenant! Get out of here!" Jacobson stumbled to his feet and out of the barn. Peeta took a deep breath and leaned back against the wall.

"Thanks Darius."

"I get it, Peeta. I'm fond of Katniss, and Rosie is from the Seam too. You just have to let it roll off your shoulders. You can't attack your soldiers like that, alright?"

"Yeah," Peeta grunted. "Of course. I know, you're right. I just… lost control."

"I know. Hey. Why don't you take the rest of the day off too? Take Katniss somewhere."

"No, I can't. I've had the past week off and there's too much to do."

"Let your brother take care of the other cases. He's about to have some time off too, so let him cover you for today." Peeta sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Are you sure you guys can handle it?"

"We managed without you for years," he said in a teasing tone. "We will be just fine."

"Alright. I'll fill out the report and take it to Commander Cray. You'll escort Hawthorne to the Justice Building?"

"Of course, sir," Darius fell back into the respectful peacekeeper. He bowed his head and passed his notepad to Peeta.

"Don't mention Jacobson," he muttered. Peeta frowned.

"But-"

"It's his word against the two of us. Don't mention it in your report." Peeta felt a surge of gratitude toward Darius and he nodded.

"I'll see you tomorrow then, Peacekeeper Murphy." Darius gave him a little salute and stepped outside where Gale was waiting. Peeta walked out behind him and saw that Rye was one of the men guarding Gale.

"Officer Mellark, walk with me." Ryen nodded and took his place by his brother's side.

"Be warned, Hawthorne," he said loudly. "You are getting off easy. The next offence will be dealt with in the harshest of manners." Gale glared at him until Darius shoved him onto the road and they headed toward town. Peeta gestured for Ryen to follow him and the two doubled back toward the bakery.

"You going to tell me what the hell happened," Ryen hissed as they neared the bakery and Cray's home.

"Later Rye."

"But...Hawthorne did something? Does Katniss know?"

"I said later, Ryen," Peeta said with a pointed look.

"Yes sir." Peeta handed him the notebook and a folder.

"Wait here while I deliver my report to Commander Cray." His brother stood against the wall while Peeta rapped on the door.

"Come in." Peeta glanced sideways at his brother before pushing the door open.

"Commander? It's me. Lieutenant Peeta Mellark."

"Ah. Come in, Lieutenant. Come in." He didn't see Cray immediately and stood uncertainly in the entryway.

"I'm in the kitchen. Why don't you make us a pot of tea, dear girl?" He heard dishes clanging together and he peered into the kitchen. A girl with short dark hair was standing at the stove and Cray sat at the kitchen table, leering at her.

"Would you like cream and sugar, Lieutenant Mellark?" Peeta let out a choked gasp, which he hastily tried to cover with a cough.

The girl who was serving them was Darius's wife Rosalie. He hadn't been present at their wedding but Darius had introduced her when Peeta and Ryen had arrived in the district.

"No, thank you ma'am." Rosalie bowed her head and poured the tea into two mugs. Her hands shook as she handed Peeta his cup, then set the other in front of Cray, as if the thought of possibly touching him was too much.

"That will be all, my dear. You can continue tending to my laundry." She gave a tiny curtsy before she hurried from the room. Peeta tried to keep his hands from shaking as he sipped his tea. Why had Cray brought her here? Had he made her do other things and not just his laundry?

What would stop him from taking other married women? He had been sure Katniss would be safe once they were legally married.

Peeta's hand itched to slice the old man's throat.

"Have you come to deliver your report?"

"Ah. Yes sir, I have."

"Very well. Proceed." Cray was supposed to write everything down but he actually looked bored as he drank his tea.

"Yes sir. Gale Hawthorne from the Seam confessed and is being charged with vandalism and destruction of property. As the property owner, I decided not to press charges so he will pay a fine for the damages."

"Very noble of you, Mellark. Protecting your wife's friend." Peeta swallowed.

"Sir?"

"Don't think me stupid, Lieutenant. I know your little Seam slut goes into the woods. They both do. Who do you think buys their meat?" Peeta's breathing grew heavy as ge shifted anxiously.

"You tell her she won't get away with that anymore. Make sure they both know what will happen should they continue to break the law." Peeta's eyes widened. Was Cray actually… trying to help?

"Yes sir. The message has been delivered to both of them."

"As for your charge… I'm afraid that's not going to work." Cray drained his cup and shook his head.

"You don't own the property, Mellark. The Capitol does. That is still the President's land. And those Capitol Peacekeepers are going to wonder why I let a vandal go with just a warning. They won't like it. Word could get back to the President that I don't take order of my district."

"Commander-"

"But if we punish him, they won't have any reason to look any further into the case. I should think you would be agreeable to that since that means your wife would be safe."

"Ka- she had nothing to do with the vandalism."

"No but she hunts illegally with the vandal. And the district knows this. You think if asked they would protect either one of them? That your wife would be safe? They'll drag her to the square and shoot her in the head." Peeta's knees shook and he gripped the counter with white knuckles.

"We whip him in the square and say that is his warning. We'll make sure the Capitol men see it and the case will be closed."

"Commander… you know that a flogging will make him… incapable of working for quite some time."

"Then he shouldn't have committed the crime in the first place. For fucks sake, Mellark, who are you more worried about? Hawthorne? Or the girl?" Peeta clenched and unclenched his fists, his shoulders hunching in defeat. Cray stood to pour himself more tea and the sound of the spoon on the mug seemed to echo in the small kitchen.

"These people would sell her out in a heartbeat. Especially since she's a Seam whore. Better to not give the Capitol any reason or doubt about her."

"She is not a whore, Commander, nor has she ever been one. But you're right. I will inform Darius of the changes in this case immediately." Cray surveyed the young peacekeeper over the rim of his cup.

"Commander. Why is Mrs. Murphy here?"

"The girl needed some work, and I have plenty to do. Why does it matter to you?"

"I'm just not certain Darius would like to hear his pregnant wife is on her feet all day, that's all."

"She has simple tasks. And she doesn't complain."

"Right. I will be at the Justice Building, if you need me Commander." Peeta shuffled toward the door but turned around slowly.

"Commander Cray?" Cray crossed his arms and waited.

"My wife will be working in my family's bakery. I'll ask you to respect that and do not approach her about working for you." Cray lowered his arms, looking furious.

"Is that a threat, Mellark?"

"Just a… friendly warning, Commander. Do not go near my wife again." Cray looked livid but Peeta bowed his head and stomped toward the door. Rosalie was on the porch, folding laundry and looked startled when the door slammed.

"You tell Darius if he tries anything with you, Rosalie," he said sternly.

"Yes sir. I will." He beckoned for Ryen to follow him and they marched away from the house.


"Peeta! Will you slow down and tell me what's happening?"

"I can't right now, Rye. We need to get to the Justice Building and then I need to get home to Katniss. I need to tell her before someone else does."

"I don't understand!" Peeta glanced at Rye and bit his lip.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'll explain everything later."

They marched in silence to the Justice Building and found Darius filling out forms just inside.

"Peacekeeper Murphy, where is the accused criminal?"

"He's in the office, dictating his confession to be recorded, Lieutenant." Peeta took a deep breath and nodded. Darius noticed how pale the young man looked and he cocked his head.

"Sir? Is everything… alright?"

"No Darius. It's not. Ryen, would you please wait here for Hawthorne to finish with the secretary?"

"Yes sir." Peeta took Darius's arm and dragged him into a stairwell.

Quietly as he could, he told Darius everything Cray had said. He knew Darius knew about Katniss's and Gale's trips to the woods. When he finished, Darius looked pained.

"So we have to take Gale to the whipping post."

"I don't want to, Darius, I really don't but I can't let them hear anything about Katniss. I have to do whatever I can to protect her."

"I know Peeta. And I think Gale would understand that. Or at least, he would have before she turned down his marriage proposal," he rolled his eyes and shook his head, "But you think she will be ok after that? That the Capitol Peacekeepers won't go asking questions and sniffing around?"

"There's no reason to. She's the wife of a peacekeeper, and as long as she stays out of trouble there isn't any cause to investigate her."

"I hope you're right. Shit, who has to carry out the sentence? You?"

"I hope not. Then again, Cray won't and he wants the new men to see it happening so I suppose I'm the only one there is. Fuck," he covered his face with his hands.

"She'll understand, Peeta," he said softly.

"I'm not sure she will. I have to flog her best friend. Not the best way to gain her trust."

"You are a soldier, Peeta, and that role doesn't come without sacrifice. She has to understand you have a duty to the Capitol. Make her see reason. If it's not him, then it's her."

"Katniss would probably throw herself in front of the whip. She is fiercely protective of those she cares about."

"This I know to be true. It will be difficult, Peeta, but you've handled difficult before. You've handled impossible, and you've beaten the odds." Somehow, this was worse, Peeta decided. With a clap on the shoulder, Darius lead him back to the front desk where Ryen waited.

"He hasn't come out yet, sir."

"Peacekeeper Murphy, kindly knock on the door and tell the secretary you need to insert the changes into the sentence." Darius gave him a look of disbelief but Peeta shrugged. If he should be the one to carry out the sentence, someone else could tell Gale it was happening. And now all he wanted to do was go home to Katniss and convince himself that he wasn't the monster that he was feeling like.


Peeta avoided the rest of the peacekeepers for the remainder of his shift, locking himself into an office and poring over documents that made little sense to him. His mind and his heart raced and he was fairly surprised that Gale had not come barging in here to beat the shit out of him. Fuck he wished someone else could do the job tomorrow. But as Lieutenant, Peeta knew he had to see to his duty before anything else.

What would happen if Katniss was ever caught doing something illegal? Would they expect him to punish her?

No way in hell that would ever happen, he fumed silently. They could never make him hurt her.

"They may have changed me," he said quietly. "Turned me into something I'm not. But I will never hurt Katniss. No matter what they try to do to me." He sighed and leaned forward on his elbows, rubbing his face with his hands. He heard a soft knock and he practically jumped out of his chair.

"Come in." Ryen peered around the door and bit his lip.

"Lieutenant, I just came to tell you it's nearing 5:00." He looked up at the clock and exhaled; he could go home to Katniss and forget about this awful day.

That was a joke, he scoffed to himself.

"Sir?"

"Thanks Rye. Come on in and shut the door." Ryen closed the door behind him and stood against it.

"You look terrible."

"We're still at work. You can't insult me until we leave the Justice Building," Peeta answered with a tired smile.

"In this room, you're just my brother. Are you ok?"

"Not really," Peeta sighed. "But I don't see a way out of this one so don't ask."

"You going to tell me everything or do I have to strangle it out of you?"

"You could try, but I think I was reigning champion before we were taken to 2." Ryen grinned and nodded, taking a step toward his little brother. He hated seeing Peeta looking so… broken. At the wedding, it was like his brother had returned from the dead. He'd never seen Peeta smile like that and the glow that seemed to

constantly follow him around was fading in this tiny room.

"Have a seat, Rye." Peeta kicked a chair toward him and Ryen sat across from his brother. Peeta leaned back in his chair and ran his hands through his hair.

Quickly and quietly, he told his brother everything. The vandalism, Gale's lack of involvement, Cray's warning and sentence. Ryen listened with wide eyes and by the time Peeta was finished, his Lieutenant was pacing the office, his hair sticking all over the place from his hands.

"Fuck," Ryen finally breathed.

"Yeah, my sentiments exactly," Peeta cried in frustration.

"Peeta… I would do the same for you. And Bing would do it for us."

"I know that, which is why I'm not trying to talk him out of it. His brothers are still young. But I don't know how I am supposed to face my wife and tell her I am taking her best friend to the whipping post tomorrow! Rye… I'll lose her for sure."

"Look," he took a deep breath, "I'll admit, the situation sucks. But you won't lose her." Peeta eyed him doubtfully.

"Katniss understands what duty means. And she will understand why you are doing this. You know she won't be happy. She might even scream and curse you at first. But this won't be the end of you two."

"How do you know that, Rye," Peeta nearly whined as he sank back into his chair. "Katniss is protective and rebellious. She will want to know why I let this happen. Why I wasn't able to help him more."

"She's a smart girl. She doesn't think you are the president with unlimited power. You are grounded by the position you hold. And you have to do it. Because Cray is right… those people out there would throw her to the wolves. And it would be your hand that holds her whip."

"Never. I would never-"

"You'd see to your duty, Peeta, as you always have. It's a terrible position that you've been put in but life isn't fair. We watch children being slaughtered on live

television. No one would call this world fair." Peeta huffed and covered his eyes. Ryen glanced at the clock and stood.

"Let's get out of here. I got a message that Katniss is at Madge's, helping with wedding plans."

"Ok but I should whip up a batch of cheesebuns before I see her."

"Why? You think cheesebuns will make her less likely to attack you?" Peeta shrugged miserably.

"Cheesebuns don't hurt much when they're thrown with impressive force."


Peeta stripped off his uniform the moment he was back in his house, and hastily made a batch of Katniss's favorite treat. Ryen waited in the living room while Peeta changed, then wrapped up the food.

"Hey, let's take our girls out to dinner tonight."

"Out to dinner?"

"Yeah. You know, a restaurant. Like the ones in 2."

"We're not in 2 anymore, Rye."

"I know that," the elder Mellark rolled his eyes. "There's a new restaurant that just opened in town. Darius was telling me about it. Let's take them there." Peeta frowned across the room.

"You think Katniss is less likely to make a scene if we are in a place like that?"

"It has nothing to do with that," Ryen said impatiently. Peeta quirked a brow and his brother huffed.

"Ok fine. I just think Madge and I should be there when you tell her. I can defend you."

"I can't have my brother defending me. I'm Lieutenant of this district and my wife needs to understand and respect that." Ryen actually winced at Peeta's harsh tone. Peeta sighed and shook his head.

"Alright. It would be nice to have some back up, especially if she decides to murder me."

"You're making my toasting cake! She can't murder you til after the wedding."

"I'm making the strawberry chiffon cake? When were you going to tell me that?"

"Well I'm sure Dad will try to bake most of it but no one is better with that creamy frosting than you, baby bro."

"Keep it up, Rye. I'm sure Madge would love to hear about the time you got drunk and brought home two girls from the brothel."

"You wouldn't dare," Ryen looked horrified.

"Call me baby bro again, then."

"Don't act like I don't have dirt on you. Like thousands of pages of sketches." A cheesebun sailed across the room and hit Ryen in the forehead.

"See? They don't hurt much," Peeta said with a wink, opening the door and beckoning for his brother to follow him.


I love all the speculation about Gale and Cray. How do you think Katniss will react? How will Peeta get himself out of this? Good on you all for recognizing that Peeta's position will put him in an uncomfortable place now and his duty comes first. Leave me a review, I'll try not to make it so long before I post again :)