"Here are your quarters, Commander," Peeta gestured toward Cray's large house. "I instructed the men to remove Cray's body this morning, so after some cleaning and some organizing, you will be free to move in."

"Excellent," Thread nodded, surveying the house. "Is that your Victor's Village, beyond those trees?"

"Yes sir. Haymitch Abernathy lives in that third one there."

"The houses are tiny. Did you visit Victor's Village in 1 and 2?"

"Yes sir, the mayors showed me around. The houses were stunning."

"I suppose anything would be bigger than this," Thread looked around, wrinkling his nose again. Peeta's nostrils flared. He was getting sick of this man insulting his home and everything he knew.

"Well I'm afraid that's about all there is to see. I can escort you back to the Justice Building before I leave for the day."

"Ah yes. You said your wife's mother has fallen ill?"

"We hope it's just a common cold. Her mother is our main Healer in 12. She has saved a lot of people in the past."

"Everdeen is her name?" Peeta swallowed as he nodded.

"That's correct."

"I have heard the name before, I believe. And your wife's coloring is not the same as yours." Peeta's blood was boiling.

"She was born in the Seam, Commander." Thread did not look surprised by this.

"Indeed? And her sister...Primrose, is it? She resembles you more than she does her sister."

"Their mother is Merchant, and their father is Seam. It is not unheard of to have marriages between the two classes."

"So I was right. You would know more about this class divide than anyone else."

"Color and class mean nothing to me, Commander. I fell in love with Katniss when I was just a boy. I was lucky enough to win her heart when I returned home after so many years of being away."

"Luck indeed." Peeta didn't like the way the peacekeeper was looking at him, with his mouth curling up into a wicked smile.

"Anyway sir, I should be getting home to my wife. If you need anything at all, you have my number."

"I thank you for your time, Lieutenant," Thread called as Peeta scurried back down the path as quick as possible. "This tour proved...most interesting." The hairs on the back of his neck stood up straight as he tried not to run back to his house.


When he entered, he threw the helmet onto the table and paced the kitchen for a moment.

"Peeta?" His head snapped up when he heard her soft voice, as she peered around the corner.

"I'm sorry for losing my temper earlier," he went to her and squeezed her hand. "I'm just terrified-"

"I know," she cut him off. "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you."

"I'd be more surprised if you did," he scoffed as he pulled her into his arms. She could feel his heart racing and she took his face in her hands.

"Is everything ok, Peeta," Madge asked tentatively.

"It's fine. I apologize to you ladies for my sharp tongue earlier," he nodded to Prim and Madge. Prim pursed her lips but Madge shook her head.

"You're just frightened for her. There is no harm in that."

"Madge, I would like to speak to your father later, if he agrees."

"Of course. Why don't you, Rye, and Katniss join us for dinner after we stop by the bakery? Oh Prim, you are more than welcome to come as well."

"Mom is taking me with her to the other side of town," Prim shrugged. "She has to give someone stitches and I want to learn."

"You'll make quite a doctor one day, Prim," Peeta said with a smile.

"12 needs more of those. And a real hospital. My dream is opening one right in the center of town."

"My little duck dreams big," Katniss tugged Prim's braid fondly.

"As she should," Madge nodded. "As we all should."

"I've never really allowed myself to dream," Katniss replied quietly.

"Well now you have a man who is determined to make every single one of them come true," Madge nudged her, winking at Peeta. He took his wife's hand and pulled it to his lips.

"She's not wrong," he said softly.

"Katniss says you guys are taking bread to the Hawthornes," Madge cocked her head.

"And what did you mean about checking on Mom? She's at the Thornes, checking on their new baby."

"I told Thread this morning that I was leaving early because my mother-in-law was ill. I didn't want to say anything else in front of him. And yes, we need to talk to the Hawthornes and I thought they could use some food."

"Gale is too proud for that," Madge scoffed. Peeta's brow shot up; he hadn't known that Madge knew Gale. She even sounded somewhat bitter.

"Too proud to keep his family from starving?"

"I'll try to talk some sense into him," Katniss sighed. "Did Thread accept the pardon?"

"Wait. What pardon?" Madge frowned.

"Cray revoked Gale's sentence before he died," Peeta said quickly. "I passed it on to Thread today and he said the case is closed. But I need to make sure Gale's brothers know how lucky they are, and to keep their heads low, going forward."

"Why would Cray pardon him," Madge shook her head. "That doesn't make sense." Katniss watched Peeta warily. Why was he lying? Didn't he trust Madge?

"I don't know the details. Maybe he knew that Gale didn't really do it, and wanted to go easy on him. All I know is he gave me the pardon, and I gave it to Thread. Gale is safe." Katniss surprised them all by standing on her tiptoes and kissing his cheek.

"Thank you," she said quietly. She at least knew the truth. She knew what Peeta had done and the risk of his actions. Madge had not seen her as overly affectionate; nor had Prim for that matter. But he cupped her chin and smiled.

"Ryen will be off work in a couple of hours and then we can escort you ladies to the bakery. Prim, would you like to accompany us to the Hawthornes?"

"Or you can come over and help me make my bouquet," Madge winked and the younger girl's face lit up.

"Katniss, is it alright if I go?"

"If Mr. and Mrs. Undersee don't mind, I don't either. I'll tell Mom where you are." Prim nodded and Madge draped her arm around Prim's shoulders.

"After Friday, we will all be sisters you know."

"Prim is a demanding sister," Katniss said, trying not to smile.

"Hey!"

"Ok, we have a lot more toasting details to work out so I will see you guys a little later." Prim hugged her sister and turned to Peeta. He watched her curiously, as she seemed to be thinking.

"Coming Prim?"

"In a sec." She reached up to hug him and he returned the embrace.

"I'm so grateful you are keeping her safe," she whispered in his ear. "Just be good to her." She pulled away and gave them both bright smiles before she followed Madge out.

"What did she say to you?" Katniss frowned after Prim and Peeta watched the girls leave.

"She's just being a good sister. I think I will change before we go."

"It's ok for you to be out of uniform? Because I was going to suggest it but I wasn't sure."

"Yeah, I don't think it's a great idea for a peacekeeper to show up at their door, given how they were treated the last time. I want to meet them as me, not Lieutenant Mellark." He kissed her on the forehead before heading into the bedroom.

"Why don't you find some more food to take to them," he called from the closet. "Train is coming in this weekend with more supplies, so we have more than enough." Katniss glanced in the cabinets, biting her lip. She had never had any of this so how was she to know what was ok to give away? By the time Peeta reentered the kitchen, she had gathered an onion and a loaf of bread.

"We can offer them more than that," he said with a smile as he opened the cabinet and started to pull out packages of flour and wheat.

"I just don't know if they will accept all of this," she watched him put things into the basket. "Seam people don't take kindly to charity. We feel like we owe a debt if someone does something nice."

"That's a strange way to look at life," he paused, his hand on another loaf of bread.

"I don't expect you to understand. You've always had enough. But if you'd lived in the Seam, I wouldn't have to explain."

"And don't try. Obviously I'm too dim to get it," he said drily.

"It's like the bread. How I never seem to get over owing you for that."

"Is that why you agreed to me taking over your contract?" She looked up at him quickly and felt a pang at the devastated look on his face. "Because you think you owe me for...that day. That's why you agreed to a toasting?"

"At first...yes. I felt like I owed you for more than just the bread. For saving my life again." He shook his head and slammed the picnic basket closed, his eyes squeezing shut.

"But," she reached for his hand. "Then I realized how good you are and how… I do feel something for you. It's not just about a debt to me anymore."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better," he said heavily, refusing to look at her. "Your feelings for me are only partially because I gave you some bread when we were kids. The other part is because you don't want to owe a debt."

"That's not what I...look Peeta, you may have grown up in town but it was still District 12. We are the poorest district in Panem. Can you honestly tell me that Merchants were much better off than the Seam?"

"No. And I don't think many Merchants are extremely hospitable either. But my father brought us all up to be that way and it's just in my nature."

"I know. And I think that's wonderful. It's what makes you such a good person. But it's Gale's nature to be protective of his family. After his father died, he became the man of the house and had to find food for his two brothers, his sister, and his mother. I had to do the same but it was only Prim and mom. I'm just telling you to look at it both ways is all."

"I just don't understand why someone who is starving wouldn't accept a little help."

"It's just the way things are in the Seam," she shrugged. "We don't like to owe people."

"What if I don't ask for anything in return?"

"Doesn't matter. We will do what we can to settle a debt. Whatever we can, even if it's beyond our means. I have seen grown men who have no food or time to give, work triple shifts so they can settle their debts." Peeta was silent and his lips thinned. She knew he was still thinking of the contract and she hated the pain in his eyes. Her hand covered his, causing him to stiffen.

"I've already told you that I know I feel something real for you. And it has nothing to do with bread or debts and everything to do with your kind heart and your sweet smile." She reached up to caress his cheek and he remained perfectly still.

"Gale might not be appreciative of what you've done but his family will be. And I am too." He swallowed and reached up to cover her hand with his. He kept it there for a moment before he removed her hand and sighed.

"We should go," he said softly. "Ryen will be off work soon and we shouldn't be out after curfew. Thread is going to crack down on that one for sure." Katniss nodded and picked up the basket. Peeta didn't offer her his arm though he did offer to carry the basket through town but Katniss held onto it tightly as they approached the Seam.

People she had known all her life gave them disapproving glares as they walked. Gale lived on the far side of the Seam, closer to the woods. She wasn't sure if he would be home from the mines yet but she could at least speak to Hazelle. She knew both Rory and Vick looked up to their brother but she wouldn't have thought either of them would write such hateful words about her. Since Rory was the same age as Prim, she figure he'd been the one to commit the act but she supposed Vick could have been responsible too. It didn't matter anymore. She would make sure they knew what Peeta had sacrificed for their family.

An older woman who sat on her porch, clucked her tongue and shook her head. Peeta paused, his eyes narrowing at the woman. Katniss wrapped her fingers around his and he glanced down. She looked back at the woman, who leaned back in her chair and muttered something under her breath. Katniss lifted her chin and tugged on Peeta's hand.

She didn't let go, not even when they stopped in front of an old run down shack. She stepped in front of him and knocked sharply on the door. It opened and Posy's wide eyes stared up at her.

"Katniss? What are you doing here?"

"I came to speak to your mama, is she here?"

"Posy, who's at the door?" Vick joined her and his eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"

"Vick that's not nice," Posy scolded. Vick's eyes flicked to Katniss's and Peeta's joined hands and sneered.

"Gale isn't here."

"We would like to speak to your mom."

"Why? So you can insult her and call her some more names?"

"I apologize for the way my soldier treated your family," Peeta said softly. "He was completely out of line."

"What do you care," the younger boy spat.

"Vick," Katniss said sharply. "We don't have time for this. Where is your mother?"

"Ma, a peacekeeper and a townie want to talk to you," he called, his hand on the door.

"What are you on about, boy?" Hazelle appeared at the door, wiping her hands on a towel. "Katniss. Liuetenant Mellark. What can I do for you folks today?"

"Hazelle, could we come in?"

"Course," she held the door open, swatting at Vick. "Posy move that laundry off the table so Katniss and the Lieutenant can sit down."

"Please, ma'am, call me Peeta." Vick rolled his eyes behind his mother.

"Katniss, what's in the basket," Posy moved closer.

"Peeta and I brought you all some food. There are a couple of loaves of bread, some flour, sugar, and a couple of vegetables for you to make some soup." Posy's face lit up as she grabbed the first thing she could reach, which was a loaf of honey wheat bread.

"You made this, Mister Peeta," she asked, her mouth bulging.

"Honey don't be rude," Hazelle scolded but Peeta laughed.

"Yes, I baked it especially for you, Miss Posy."

"I never had real baked bread," she tore off another piece and stuffed it in her mouth. Peeta swallowed as he watched the little girl eat.

"So what brings yall here?" Katniss opened her mouth to explain when the back door opened and then slammed. Katniss frowned; they never used that back door, unless Gale was sneaking home from the Slag Heap, Posy had told Katniss one time.

"Ma, you gotta see what Gale and I shot today!" Rory's broad grin slid off his face as soon as he saw Katniss and Peeta sitting at the table.

"Rory? Where did you go? Gimme a hand with this bird!"

"Gale...you might want to come in here," Rory said slowly. Gale stomped into the room and froze.

"What's going on here?"

"What's going on is that you're going to be shot," Peeta jumped to his feet. Posy gasped and Katniss shot Peeta a disapproving look.

"Peeta please."

"I warned you that we are getting a new Head Peacekeeper. I told you he wouldn't hesitate to shoot you if he finds you. And now you're taking your brother in there with you?"

"Hate to break it to you, Merchant, but not all of us have cushy jobs to keep food on the table. I do what I have to do to survive," Gale glowered as he stood face to face with Peeta.

"Boys, stop it," Hazelle said, wringing her hands. "Oh Katniss, help me."

"Peeta, please sit back down. Posy, why don't you take some more of this bread and go outside with your brothers."

"Don't think you can order her around like she's your sister," Gale snapped, his eyes never leaving Peeta's. "Why don't both of you take this food and go?"

"We're not going anywhere," Katniss said angrily. "You're going to sit down and listen to us. Peeta saved your life today. He sacrificed a lot so the least you can do is sit down and listen to him."

"You're not welcome here anymore, Katniss," Vick said bitterly. "Not since you married a peacekeeper."

"Be quiet, Vick," Gale snapped at his brother. "You're in enough trouble as it is."

"Well I suppose we know who the real vandal is," Peeta crossed his arms, his eyes darting to Vick. Hazelle gasped and rushed forward, holding her arms out.

"Please Lieutenant, he didn't know what he was doing. Don't punish my boy-"

"He's a Peacekeeper, Ma," Gale's eyes glittered. "He doesn't show mercy or pay mind to mothers' cries."

"Gale, I've told you before, I'll tell you again: you don't know a thing about me," Peeta said, his voice deadly calm. His face softened as he turned to Hazelle.

"Mrs. Hawthorne, I asked Katniss to bring me here so I can assure you, I mean no harm to your family. I made sure that the charges against your son were dropped and the case was closed. But I also wanted to warn you. All of you," his eyes traveled the room. "This new Head is bad news. He's cruel and bloodthirsty and he will be looking for people to make examples of. You must be cautious and keep your heads low. The fence on the border has been turned on and will be charged at all hours of the day. Thread will position soldiers around the border to make sure no one escapes. Look, we brought you some food to last you-"

"We don't want your Capitol food," Gale said angrily. "We don't need your charity. And if Katniss was any kind of decent Seam girl, she would have explained that to you."

"She did. But I find it ridiculous to be so prideful when your little sister's cheeks are sunken in like that." Gale's jaw seemed to twitch and Katniss swore he was about to punch Peeta.

"Gale," Posy's voice was meek and Gale's eyes softened. "He brought us bread. And other stuff. Please, won't you be nice to him?" Hazelle wrapped her arms around her daughter and kissed her hair.

"You all mean the world to Katniss. And Katniss means the world to me. Which is why I will do what I can to keep you safe. It's why I forged Cray's signature on the pardons and lied to my Commander." Even Gale looked stunned.

"You did what," Rory said, his jaw dropping.

"Look, you don't have to like me. But I'm asking you to trust me. Just let me help you, at least while Thread is in town and until the danger is passed."

"Are you saying you don't think he will stay," Rory asked, his brow furrowed.

"I really can't say. My Commander in District 2 was surprised that Thread was sent here. I honestly don't think he will stay long. But there's no telling what kind of damage he will do while he is here. We all just have to be careful. Katniss explained to me about debts in the Seam. Just know that I don't expect anything in return. I may be a peacekeeper but this is still my home. You're all still my neighbors. No time in 2, no amount of beatings, no matter how many times I have been called trash and dirt, will ever change that." Katniss moved closer to him and slipped her hand into his. Gale's eyes flickered to their joined hands back to Peeta's earnest face. His arms uncrossed and he sighed before he slipped silently from the room. They heard the back door slam again and Hazelle closed her eyes.

"Just don't come around and flaunt your marriage in front of him," Vick said quietly before he followed his brother from the room.

"For what it's worth," Rory said hesitantly, "thank you." Peeta nodded and Hazelle stroked Posy's hair.

"We're grateful, Peeta. We might not seem it but we are grateful."

"I guess we should be going. Katniss can bring you some more food next week."

"You can come too, Mister Peeta," Posy said, hugging him around the middle. Peeta's wide eyes found Katniss's and she smiled.

"Take care, Miss Posy." He cupped her chin for a moment before he nodded to Hazelle and Rory, and exited the house.

"Katniss," Rory followed them outside. "Vick didn't mean it. What he wrote, I mean. He was just mad that you married someone else, after turning Gale down. He felt bad about it afterwards but when he asked Gale and I to help him to clean it off, the peacekeepers had already seen it."

"To be honest I kind of thought you were the one who did it," Katniss said with a slight smile.

"Me? Prim would flay me alive. And her opinion means way too much to me."

"Oh I know, Rory," Katniss smirked. Peeta's brow raised at the exchange; was Gale's youger brother sweet on Primrose Everdeen? It certainly sounded that way.

"Anyway, thank you again, Peeta. You're alright. If my brother wasn't nursing a broken heart and wounded pride, he would thank you too."

"I highly doubt that," Katniss snorted.

"Just tell him to be careful, Rory. I don't know how you two got into the woods this time-"

"Oh, we didn't go all the way into the woods. A turkey crossed into the meadow and we shot him from the fence. Gale heard the fence on and warned me, else I would have fried. It will last us awhile but I'll make sure they don't throw your food out out of spite."

"Posy needs some vegetables," Peeta said softly. "And I'll bring more when I can."

"We appreciate it. Katniss, uh, I was hoping….well I was hoping I could ask Prim over this week. To help me with my homework, I mean."

"School has been out for weeks now, Rory," she quirked a brow. Rory turned red.

"I need to get a head start, I mean, she's the smartest in our class…" Katniss coughed, attempting to cover her laughter.

"I'll tell her to expect you."

"Thanks. Oh Peeta. What did you do about the fine...umm, that Vi-Gale owes?" Peeta looked bemused and Rory cleared his throat.

"You said the charges had been dropped but Gale told us that he still had to pay a fine. What-"

"I paid it," Peeta said quickly. Rory's eyes widened and Katniss squeezed her husband's hand.

"Tell him that he was sentenced to a flogging in the square, Rory. Make sure he understands how close…Cray said Gale would be whipped and when Cray was killed, Peeta forged the signature. He really did save him. Make sure Gale knows that." Rory nodded, dazed, and Peeta lead her down the path and out of the Seam.

"You were awful to him," he said, giving her a kiss on the temple. "About his crush. I thought he was going to pass out, he was blushing so hard."

"Rory has had a thing for Prim for ages. It's cute but they're still really young."

"Does she reciprocate?"

"If you mean does she like him back, then yes she does. She tries to hide it though. She knows how I feel about it."

"I know younger than that who have gotten married," he said playfully.

"He has to be able to support her and he can't do that right now. I like him but he has some growing up to do."

"Spoken like a true big sister."

"I've dedicated my life to Prim," she shrugged. "I would do anything for her."

"No one knows that better than I do." She stopped, holding his hands.

"Did you really pay Gale's fine?"

"Not yet but I intend to. Just in case Thread asks where the money is."

"Peeta-"

"I know they can't afford it. It's nothing, really." She shook her head and took his face in her hands, pulling him down for a kiss. His eyes shot open but eventually fluttered shut as he was lost in her sudden wave of passion. His arm slipped around her waist and his hand caressed her cheek as he kissed her back. As suddenly as it had come, they broke apart, breathless. Peeta's mind raced as she stared up at him. Did it bother him that every time she kissed him like that, it was because he had done something for her loved ones? Did he have reason to complain or should he just shut up and enjoy her affections?

That nagging voice in his head laughed cruelly. It's all about a debt to her it said, making him wince. She won't ever really love you. She's just thanking you, the way she knows how. Why should she love you? You're a Capitol lapdog now and she's been hurt by your lot too many times.

She knows I love her, he thought stubbornly. She knows I would do anything for her. How I will put her before my duty.

You're too different. You can never really be together.

"Peeta? You ok?"

"Yeah," he said, shaking his head. "Sorry. Lost in thought. Let's head on over to the bakery. Rye and Madge will meet us there." She nodded and didn't release his hand as they walked through the district.

"Has Gale always…" he trailed off and she looked up at him, her brow furrowed.

"Has he always what?"

"Has he always been in love with you?" She made a face and shook her head; he watched her anxiously, wondering if she would answer him.

"Gale and I have always had...a complicated relationship. We didn't talk much while we hunted together and that was really the only time we would see each other. We would sometimes have the other over for dinner but that was rare. There wasn't enough food to go around, for one. But he was always taking girls to the slag heap and I was never thinking of any kind of relationship at all. When he asked me to marry him, I basically asked him if he had any other reason for doing it besides that we make a good team. He couldn't give me one. He never said he loved me. And really, I think it's more his wounded pride than anything else. I told him I didn't want to marry anyone, and then he hears that I married a peacekeeper from the Merchant class. He may be sad about losing his hunting partner but I think he just liked the idea of us. He certainly never asked me anything of great importance, like my favorite color for example." Peeta's lips curved upward.

"It's green, of course." She paused, turning to stare at him as if she was just now seeing him.

"And what is yours?"

"Orange."

"Orange? Like Effie Trinkett's hair?"

"A bit more muted," he chuckled. "More like...sunset." She cocked her head and their eyes searched each other's.

"Well," he cleared his throat. "I always thought you had something with Gale. I was jealous of him before I even officially met you."

"I wish you had just talked to me when we were younger."

"So do I. But I was a coward."

"Hey," she looked stern. "What did I tell you about calling yourself names?"

"Right. Sorry. I was beyond intimidated by you." She snorted and shook her head.

"Why? I mean, look at me."

"I am," he shot her a sideways smile. "And I can't really stop."

"Creep," she made a face but leaned in to kiss him. He chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her waist and tugged her forward.


Several peacekeepers were walking around town and nodded to Peeta as they passed. They stopped briefly to talk to Darius, who seemed especially grateful when Peeta asked about Rosalie.

"She told me what you said to Cray," he said in a low voice. "Katniss, this man would take down the Capitol for you, I hope you know." Katniss looked startled but Peeta shook his head.

"I'm just glad Rosie is ok."

"She's fine. She told me Cray was letting her do his house work for some extra money and I wasn't happy about it but babies aren't cheap. But with Commander

Thread in town...well, I asked her to stay home and take care of herself and the baby."

"Understandable. Well, we need to be off. Make sure you are telling people about the curfew, Darius, lest they forget." Darius nodded in understanding.

"Have a good evening, Liuetenant. Mrs. Mellark."

"Bye Darius," Katniss waved him off and he straightened his back and joined a group of peacekeepers a few feet away.

"What was he talking about," she whispered as they hurried away. "What did you say?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It matters to me," she said sharply. "What did you say to Cray?"

"I warned him not to go near my wife again." Her jaw dropped as she spun him around to face her.

"You what?"

"Katniss if I'd had the chance...I would have liked to be there when he was killed. So I could make him pay for what he did to you." She shivered, though she didn't know if that was from his dark words or his hand on her cheek.

"Well now you don't have to worry about him hurting any more girls."

"I don't know if the cost is worth it to me," he said stiffly. "As awful as that sounds and as dark as that makes my heart, but I wish I'd have gotten to him before…" he trailed off, sighing heavily.

Katniss inhaled sharply; she understood his meaning. His scandalous activities had been talked about for years but Katniss had been the last one in his "collection". It was true that he would no longer use any woman in the district but it made Peeta's blood boil to think about the old man taking advantage of Katniss.

Peeta wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead.

"He's gone," he said softly. "He's gone and no one will ever hurt you again. I'll make sure of it." He pulled her off, in the direction of the bakery.


I know a lot of Gale shippers argue that Gale really loved her but I really don't believe it. I think he liked the idea of them together, and may have wanted them to be in a relationship but wouldn't call that love. But I tried to make it go both ways. What do you think of the Hawthorne dynamic? I usually see Rory as the hot-headed one since he is the 2nd oldest but I like the idea of him trying to impress a certain someone so he will be more logical than usually seen.

Madge's and Rye's toasting is coming and then a very interesting trip to the Capitol...intrigued? ;)

Sorry it's a short one but it's been a chaotic few weeks so I figured a short chapter was better than none ;) I will post again next week!

XOXOXO