Thanks to Corky Katniss fell out of the tree...hehe...and into the arms of the baker she's been stalking...though if you ask Katniss she's no stalker? But what happens the next morning, will she still feel the same, will she shoot Corky?

Thank you all for following this chapter is massive now because of all of the changes. But they were necessary...I hope you all enjoy this re-write. I do not own the hunger games and special thanks to Norbertsmom who was editing well past nine last night to get this chapter just right -enjoy

The next day.

The hob was packed. It was still early, only around seven in the morning. People were buying and selling as much as they could. They had a sense that District Twelve's farce of a black market was going to be shut down. There were many new Peacekeepers sent to the quiet district and it made many feel scared.

There were whispers, murmurings of war, of unrest in the other districts.

No one knew for sure, but in Twelve, people wanted to keep their heads down and live a normal life. They knew what happened when the Capitol's orders were not followed.

There was a point in District Twelve's history when there were many beatings and whippings in front of the Justice Building for infractions that were so slight. A group of miners and merchants protested against the brutality. The result was swift, they were shot down. In light of this, the Capitol sent a legion of troops to control the area, despite the districts small number of residents.

It seemed there was a Peacekeeper for every five residents. They were enforcers who at times shot and killed for no reason and no one was safe. There were two Peacekeepers stationed inside the businesses watching the conduct of commerce. These creatures did not smile, did not speak, and only watched the residents as if they were all criminals. The ones people quietly detested were the Peacekeepers that stood in the hallways of the schools and in the classrooms. Ominous shadows that threatened to punish even the children, regardless if they were unruly.

Twelve's humble streets were filled with uniformed officers that mutely monitored the populace. They were always ready to haul anyone into custody who looked like an offender to the Capitol. The stockyards and whipping posts were filled with the corpses of the people who protested. Fear reigned in the eyes of many, while others looked broken by the threats and the constant terror.

Many people stopped leaving their homes and Twelve's social life came to a standstill. The only resolution was to comply lest they lose more friends and family. Everyone worked and went home quietly.

At one point the only sounds that could be heard on the streets of District Twelve were those that nature supplied. The snow that sounded like granular sugar falling inside of a glass jar as it accumulated in the streets, the harsh winds of fall and the pouring spring rain were the music people listened to, but in the heat of summer, not even a pin drop could be heard.

People did not greet each other on the street; they did not speak openly to each other unless they purchased something from one of the Capitol approved vendors. It got to the point that no one looked at each other directly in the face unless they had too. This tranquil resignation continued until the Peacekeepers had nothing to do, because the population became so docile.

Its quietness was a passive-aggressive rebellion.

It worked and eventually the manipulative Capitol controlled Peacekeepers were called away to a more restless district. Those who stayed behind were more lenient and allowed places like the Hob to flourish.

Now it was happening all over again and the people of the district were leery of the many changes happening within their quiet walls. Gale was worried and his rants were becoming epic when they were hunting together in the woods. For Gale, the forest was a place where he could yell and rant without fear. The woods were the only haven for Katniss.

It was a place for her to think without worry.

This morning Katniss had more on her mind than just Gale and the increased amount of Peacekeepers in District Twelve. Katniss walked through the rows of tables at the hob.

"There's a lot of traffic this morning," Gale commented as he made his way through the market.

"Yeah let's hurry and get done. We still have to visit the Mayor."

"Don't forget we still have to stop at Mellark's. I need to get bread. Rory and Vick are eating anything in sight and bread is the only thing that seems to fill them up a little."

Katniss remained silent, though nodded slowly as she tried to keep her face from blooming into a bright shade of red at the thought of Peeta. They neared Greasy Sae's soup counter. Katniss was famished, Peeta had offered a loaf of bread before she left, but she did not want to take it. It was too much. She already owed him so much. However, he told her that he wanted berries and she agreed to the trade. That wonderful raisin and nut loaf was sitting at home waiting for her.

"I'm going to trade the dog and get a bowl of soup from Greasy Sae's place."

"Alright, I'll be right back. I need to pick up Posy's boots; the soles were worn bare when she tried them on a few weeks ago." Gale scratched his face. "I have a feeling by the way the leaves quickly changed color, that she's going to need them during the winter."

"Posy's has gotten bigger."

"Yeah, shot up like a maypole this summer," Gale said as he grinned at a girl that caught his eye. He searched his brain for the girl's name. He knew she was named after some plant. He thought it was Daffodil or some strange name like that. "Listen I'll see you in a bit. Jeb should be finished with them."

"Okay," Katniss shook her head. Gale was not at all subtle as he walked away to speak to the girl who caught his eye. Jeb's stall was on the opposite side. Shrugging, she headed toward Sae's.

*K*P*

Gale followed the girl. He was just about to say something to her when something collided with him. He growled annoyed, "Hey."

"Oops! So sorry I didn't see where I was going." Delly Cartwright bent down to pick up the boxes that were scattered on the floor.

"What the hell?" Gale wondered what a Merchant was doing in the Hob.

"So sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you. I hope I haven't injured you." Delly stared up at him from the floor with wide, innocent eyes. "Oh dear, I am so sorry if I did. I didn't mean to, if you would like, stop by Jeb's, I work there. Maybe there is something I can do for you to compensate you for the pain."

Gale wanted to laugh when she stood up with her packages. She wasn't even as tall as Katniss. Delly was a tiny round little thing with a heart-shaped face, bright blue eyes, and a mop of curly blond hair that at this moment had escaped the confines of the bun she kept it in.

He frowned as it occurred to him that she had a smudge of dirt on her face. Her clothing was old and patched up. She was dressed worse than someone from the Seam.

"Are…are…you hurt?"

"No, I'm not." Gale didn't mean to sound so mean and he saw the way her eyes widened with fear. He softened his voice, "I was headed over to Jeb's place."

"Oh! Of course, your sister's boots. I fixed them! I do hope she likes them. I know they belonged to one of your brothers, but I made them so that no one will ever know. If you follow me I'll give them to Jeb so that you can pay for them." Delly smiled brightly at him.

Gale was left speechless and a little off balance. Mutely he nodded and followed her through the stalls. She walked around the Hob and greeted the folks there as if she knew them. Gale scratched his head when they arrived at Jeb's stall.

"Delly, about time," Jeb admonished.

"Sorry, Jeb. I had to attend to my mother and brother." Delly excused herself as she put the boxes on the table and immediately sat down at the desk to work on the handful of shoes that were piled up there.

"Gale, good to see you. I'm guessing you're here to pick up Posy's boots?"

"Yes," Gale nodded. Seeing a Merchant working at the Hob was jarring.

"Here ya go," Jeb said as he slid one of the boxes Delly had been carrying.

Gale opened the box and was once more left speechless. Delly had transformed the boots that had looked like they had seen their last day. His sister had cried when their mother told her she was going to wear the boots that once belonged to Rory and Vick.

He touched the soft leather reverently. It was pure craftsmanship. She had meticulously patched up the holes and embroidered vines with pink flowers on the front of the boots with little green leaves crawling up the sides. Posy was going to love them. They were pretty and they looked brand new.

He wanted to glower at Delly because she was the enemy. She was a Merchant, not one of them. Yet looking at her bent over diligently fixing shoes she didn't seem out of place. Gale couldn't find in his heart to be mean to her. Frankly, Gale felt like he owed her for her job and for the smile that he was sure Posy was going to have when she saw the boots.

"Is there a problem?" Jeb glanced back at him worriedly.

Gale shook his head and for the first time in his life, he saw worth in a Merchant.

*K*P*

"Katniss," Greasy greeted. "What do you have for me today?"

"I've got some wild dog if you're interested in it?"

"Meat is meat girly; I'm not going to deny it." Greasy Sae's laughed, it sounded more like a crackle.

Katniss pulled out the dog from her game bag.

Greasy easily took the game and stored it behind her. She took a few coins out and handed it to Katniss. "I've got a bowl and some fresh bread this morning."

At the mention of the word bread, Katniss blushed.

This morning, as soon as she was far away enough to lose sight of the bakery she had run home, but could not relax when she snuck into her house. Impatiently, she had taken her game bag and headed back outdoors. Waking up in Peeta's arms was the most wonderful sensation, but she was so embarrassed. She could not help turning red at the thought of having slept in his bed, in his clothing and his arms.

She could not address him, but Peeta had made her so comfortable, she couldn't help but speak to him. He asked so many questions about her sister Prim, her mother, and school; it left her dizzy. She tried answering as best as she could, but failed. When he insisted she take the bread she only agreed with the promise to pay him back with berries, then he helped her sneak out of his home. Katniss had run quickly towards the fence, to the one place everything made sense, the safety of her woods. She stood there in the meadow wondering why she felt so alive after waking up next to him. It should not have mattered who she slept next to. Katniss was used to sharing a bed with her sister, but it had never felt this way before.

Katniss was in the midst of this revolutionary thought when Gale showed up in the woods. She had to immediately force her face to be blank. Gale knew her moods and he would pick up on anything that was off about her. The odds were in her favor because he was in one of his ranting moods.

Pretending to be there to hunt was easy to pull off. They often hunted at this time of the morning, before the night shift at the mines ended their workday. But because she was off she was afraid he would see it, see what spending the night with Peeta did to her. Fortunately, he was too busy grumbling to notice. The entire time in the woods she puzzled over the mystery of her reaction to Peeta. Katniss questioned why she felt so comfortable with him and why she asked him to stay with her in the bed after the nightmare. She could have easily thanked him and let him go back to sleep, but at that moment she needed him.

It was as the sun rose mightily above in the sky in her beloved forest that it dawned on her.

Peeta made her feel different. Katniss was not sure she liked feeling this stuff. She didn't have time to be able to have these conflicting thoughts. It was as if her mind and heart were at odds. She had to survive, and even though nothing happened between them, something did happen inside of her; it was frightening and yet thrilling. She had to admit one thing to herself that had nothing to do with icky sentiments.

She slept like a baby.

Swallowing, she looked down at the soup Greasy Sae put before her.

Katniss could not remember when the last time she had a decent night's sleep. Ever since her father died she had repeated violent nightmares. Although she did have a bad dream last night, it was only once. Normally she woke up two to three times at night, yet last night she slept through. It was because of him. Katniss picked up the spoon and carefully sipped the hot brew as she replayed the events of the previous evening in her head.

The catalyst was that squirrel.

"Freaking squirrel," Katniss muttered to herself. Had it not been for that vicious fluffy tailed beast, she wouldn't have found herself in this predicament.

Her grey eyes glanced at the bread Greasy Sae put on the table for her. Taking the small roll she brought it to her nose as she broke it in half. It was still warm and fresh. Her lips curved upwards as she recalled the way Peeta smelled; it was like fresh bread. His scent and the way Peeta wrapped around her like a security blanket made her feel protected, safe and happy.

Biting into the bread she groaned at the flaky buttery goodness.

The last time she had woken up with a smile on her face and felt like she was okay, was when her father was alive.

Being with Peeta last night was like being in a secure haven.

It was utterly irrational, completely against her true nature, but part of her wanted to be with him again. In fact, she wanted to march to the baker and demand he nap with her. Katniss quickly sipped another spoonful of soup to keep her lips from smirking at this small thought. Katniss knew all too well what it was like to be from two different worlds. Her mother was Merchant and her father Seam, and that never happened in Twelve. Love matches that crossed over that divide were rare.

Katniss swung her legs on the sides of the stool as she ate her soup.

If anything ever happened between her and Peeta, he would be ostracized by his witch of a mother and everyone else in town. For that matter, her own mother would be angry too It was funny because Katniss did not have much of a relationship with her mother. They were not on speaking terms, but Katniss knew enough that her mother would definitely not like to know her daughter had spent the night with a boy, no matter how innocent.

"Katniss Everdeen as I live and breathe."

Katniss shoulders sloped downwards at the sound of Darius's voice. The Ex-Peacekeeper who voluntarily retired a few months ago was always a thorn on her side. Even though he was still young, he was forced to leave his position. He decided to stay behind and was working in the Justice Building with the Mayor. It was rumored he had shacked up with a girl from the Seam.

"Darius," Katniss schooled her face. Calmly she put her all of her focus on consuming the soup before her.

Darius had a reputation for being a mischievous trouble-maker. He liked to tease her. As a Peacekeeper, he was notorious for his ability to obtain confessions no one else was able to get.

Darius swiped his red hair away from his face. He stood by her bowl and sniffed it, "What does Greasy Sae have on the menu today?"

Katniss did not want to speak to the man.

"Looks like mystery meat." Darius leaned in over her shoulder.

"Darius," Gale haled, he had paused when he saw another guy leaning so close to Katniss, but when he realized who it was he relaxed. Guys never went up to Katniss because she was still a kid. A kid that Gale protected.

"Gale, sorry didn't know you were around," Darius greeted.

"How's the soup?" Gale asked, sitting down on the stool next to Katniss. He spread out by putting his own game bag next to hers.

Katniss grunted.

"Hi'ya Gale, I suppose you'd be wanting a bowl?" Greasy Sae appeared out of nowhere.

"Yep," Gale replied.

Katniss finished her soup.

"I like a girl with a healthy appetite." Darius winked at Katniss. "The only other girl I've seen eat like that is poor Delly Cartwright."

"Funny you should mention her. I just ran into her at Jeb's counter. Didn't know she worked with Jeb showing him some of her trade?"

"Not all Merchants are bad Gale," Darius countered. "Yet again not everyone is as peculiar as Katniss here."

Katniss frowned.

"You know, Katniss, I didn't realize until I saw you today how pretty you've gotten."

Gale enjoyed seeing Katniss frown. Katniss hated when Darius poked fun at her. He always called her braids because she only wore her hair in one thick plait. Gale leaned back ready for a good show. Katniss hated compliments.

"No seriously you're hot!" Darius leaned forward and winked.

Gale paid no mind as he thanked Sae for the soup.

Darius' sly grin spread on his face. "Come, Gale, you agree. Katniss has grown up quite nicely."

Gale was taking a spoonful of soup when he spit it out. The liquid was hot, but it was Darius comment that caused him to sputter. Katniss was a kid, a little girl who was an excellent hunter, but that was all.

"You okay there, buddy?"

Gale's annoyed gray eyes zeroed in on Darius. "What the hell are you spouting now?"

Darius cracked up at Gale's look.

"Look at her, she's all grown up and ready for a good kiss. I don't suppose it's Gale's whose lips you dream about." Darius whispered in a conspirator's voice. Then he straightened. "No kisses yet? What's the matter, Gale ain't man enough for you?"

Katniss ignored Darius and ate her soup. She didn't want to make an enemy out of him by throwing her bowl of soup at him, plus it would be a waste of food.

Gale forcedly trained his vision on Katniss and was a bit horrified to see Darius was right. He questioned when she had filled out; even though she wore her father's clothing she had a nice rear. She had high cheekbones, with ruby pink lips that were very desirable. Her eyes were more silver than gray and were a beautiful contrast to her olive complexion.

Gale wondered when she had grown up and become so attractive.

"You've got any boys interested in you?" Darius asked, leaning toward Katniss.

Katniss looked exasperated. Gale was watching her reactions carefully. He had never, until this moment, seen Katniss like a girl. She was Catnip, his hunting buddy. But now she was morphed into a wild pretty thing like one of those flowers that grew in the forest.

"Wait that's not it. You don't see them the trail of boys that are heartbroken because you don't pay attention to them." Darius leaned his elbow against the table.

"Darius, are you going to order?"

"In a minute Sae. I am trying to figure out Miss Everdeen here."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's obvious she oblivious as to how pretty she is and how many boys are actually suffering, because, she oblivious to them."

Greasy laughed. "Oh, Darius you're stirring the pot and don't even know it."

"But I'm right. She is stunning, even without any assistance."

"No one could ever accuse you of not having good taste. Katniss here is our little-hidden gem."

Darius grin grew. "No she's not aware of boys liking her, however, I think it's the opposite for her. I mean she's a" Darius coughed the word 'hunter'. "No, you'd be the kind of girl who likes a boy in secret." Darius snapped his fingers then whistled. "There's a special guy you have you your eyes on?"

Gale watched the way Katniss cheeks bloomed momentarily before it was replaced by her famous glare.

"Gale, I'm headed over to the Mayor's house." Katniss grabbed her bag and left.

"Well, I'll be." Greasy shook her head.

"What?" Gale sat up.

"Oh boy, for such a sly fox you are clueless." Greasy Sae clucked her tongue. "All these years you've had a gem right underneath your very nose and have ignored it."

Gale frowned, unsure what they were speaking about.

"Never mind Sae, he's not there yet. He just figured out Katniss is pretty. Now give me a bowl of that delicious sludge you've made." Darius pointed to Gale with his spoon as he sat on the vacate stool.

"You're right." Sae chuckled and walked away.

Gale picked up the bread and mindlessly ate it. He frowned then looked at the bread. It was perfect. He murmured, "Mellark's bread."

Sae came and placed the bowl and bread on the table. Darius paid for it and the woman promptly disappeared.

Darius picked up his piece and looked at it. "Kid, Katniss is like this bread. Before she could become this perfect flaky delicious morsel, she was a mass of sticky dough. When she's finished baking she's going to be a masterpiece to behold and devour."

Gale didn't quite get what Darius was prattling on about.

"You still see her as the sticky dough, but let me tell you there's a baker out there with the patience to let her breath and wait until she's been cooked by the fire before he'll approach her if he hasn't done it already." Darius tore a piece of the roll and popped it in his mouth.

"What the hell are you speaking about Darius? Seriously, Katniss is not a piece of bread."

"Let me put it in layman's terms. Katniss is blossoming and you look at her like she's a kid. She's not a kid anymore, Gale, and trust me when I tell you there are guys out there who see that. And most likely Katniss likes one of those guys."

"Katniss isn't like that."

"Oh, really Gale." Darius laughed shortly. "You're in denial. That girl has more secrets than a tomb. She might be a late bloomer, but I'd put money on my postulation. There is someone who she is interested in. Most likely she has always made a point to keep track, quietly without anyone noticing, even you."

"Katniss doesn't want kids or to get married." Gale grabbed his bag forcefully intending on leaving but stopped when he heard what Darius was saying.

"Maybe she may not want those things now or maybe she may not want them with you. But mark my words, kid. It's a woman's right to change her mind and if the guy Katniss is into likes her back, believe me, she'll marry him, whether officially through the Capitol or unofficially through a toasting."

Gale fumed internally.

"Darius doesn't know what he's speaking about," Gale complained as he stormed out of the hob.

He stomped absentmindedly, walked, not really seeing where he was going. Darius' words compiled with the revelations he discovered really did a number on him.

Katniss was not the girly type. Gale had never seen Katniss voluntarily wear a dress unless she had to on reaping day. When they were in the woods she always stated she didn't want marriage or kids. Until now, Gale always chalked up her statements as a rebellious stance against the state of the current government.

They both hated the Capitol and everything it stood for.

It was crazy, too, that his hunting buddy wouldn't crave what he wanted. As much as he liked being with girls, he wanted to have a family one day. He wanted a son, someone to pass on the things his father taught him. He stopped walking, looking around at town and saw that he was near Madge's house. As he began to walk he saw Katniss trade the berries with the Mayor's daughter.

He blinked.

It never occurred to him that she would change her mind, or rather he never looked at her like she was a girl. Until Darius pointed it out, Gale saw Katniss as a kid. He never noticed that she had developed a body under her loose clothing. Gale scratched his face as the possibility of maybe one day calling Katniss his wife took root.

Gale had to be patient. He had to wait it out, make sure there weren't any other guys she was interested in, and at the same time make sure the others knew she was exclusively his.

This was going to be a tricky feat.