AN: Thank you for the great responses & Reviews. Here is Chapter the next chapter. Special thanks to Norbertsmom my friend who is a phenomenal beta and writer :) - ps I do not own the Hunger Games

The Peacekeepers came to visit Peeta and his family and they also gave poor Rye a breathalyzer test, they also have been marching around the Seam. Will it end and what purpose do they have in District Twelve? And Peeta isn't he the cutest trying to make plans to woo Katniss (sigh), but knowing our resident huntress will she allow Peeta follow through, she has, after all, decided she doesn't want to go back to his window...

In the morning, they were all still a little uneasy about the incident. Though they pushed through, the stability of their morning routine made them feel normal. Peeta made sure he did not do anything to upset his mother.

She seemed fragile.

She only came downstairs to retrieve an old piece of bread and tea. Peeta did not say much but was anxious for the moment when he would have to go to school. When the time arrived, Rye as usual rushed out the door to meet his friends.

Peeta took his time, and now he stood underneath a tree. Delly came over and stood next to him.

"Peeta, you are going to be late." Delly shook her head. Her blond curls could become a riot instantly if she didn't always keep them tamed in a bun.

"I'm waiting for someone," Peeta murmured. His friends and brother were all at school already. He carefully stayed behind, knowing Madge liked to walk behind everyone else. Delly was the only one who walked to school by his side. Peeta loved Delly like a sibling, but she didn't have the ability to keep a secret. Delly was very honest.

"Oh," Delly replied.

"Just save me a seat in Cranston's class okay?"

Delly nodded, looking like a wounded puppy.

Peeta needed to meet with Madge alone. She was not a social person for the daughter of the Mayor.

"Okay, I guess I'll see you there." Delly hiked up her bag and walked away. Peeta felt bad, but he didn't need Delly accidentally telling everyone his secrets.

Becoming Katniss friend was important, and knowing how shy Katniss was he had to be careful. Spotting his target, he quickly made a beeline. "Hi, Madge?"

Madge was startled that anyone would speak to her.

"Look, we don't really know each other, but there is someone we know in common, and I was hoping you could help me with something."

Madge carefully stared at Peeta. "Who do we have in common and what do you want me to do?"

Peeta was glad to hear her curiosity. "Well, it's Katniss."

Madge eyes widened as she questioned, "Katniss?"

"Well yeah." Peeta blushed then kicked a clump of grass between his boots. His laces were double knotted.

"What do you want with Katniss?"

"Well, I ah, want to be her friend but, I'm nervous. She wouldn't want to be my friend because of where I'm from...well you know."

"Katniss is not like that."

"Gale is like that and he's her boyfriend."

Madge burst out laughing. "Peeta, before we go any further you should know one thing."

"What's that?" Peeta asked.

"Katniss doesn't have a boyfriend. She doesn't want one, nor does she want children."

"I can understand why with the reaping and the Games."

Madge was surprised, and it showed in her voice. "You're the only one who got that immediately." She cocked her head to the side. "What do you want?"

Peeta showed her the picture he drew of the flowers from the district that he used to decorate the cakes and wrote what little knowledge he had about them.

"That's beautiful, Peeta."

He couldn't help his slight blush. "Thank you, I want her to have this, but I don't know how to give this to her without her ripping it up in my face."

Madge smiled as she looked at the folded paper.

"I want to send her more stuff like this and small notes. Can you help me slip them into her backpack?"

"Sure." Madge watched Peeta fold up the paper precisely before she took it in her hands.

"I really do appreciate your help and if you ever need anything, I'm at the counter on Wednesdays and Fridays. I can help you, give you special pricing."

"Nah, that's okay Peeta. We have enough coins." Madge shook her head. She slipped the paper into her notebook. "Tell you what, we'll just meet here whenever you want me to sneak something for you."

"You'd really do that?"

"You're a sweet guy, but if you do something to hurt Katniss, I'll hurt you."

Peeta nodded. "Thanks, Madge."

He started following Madge toward school. Madge stopped and shook her head.

"Peeta, I think you should walk ahead. I'm usually late for school, but that's not your style."

Peeta nodded happily and ran toward the school building leaving a dancing Madge behind.

Madge excitedly spun around in a circle.

Peeta liked Katniss and more than just as a friend.

Madge wondered if Katniss knew. Madge answered her own internal question. "Probably not."

Katniss was oblivious but it would be interesting to see how her friend reacted to Peeta's hidden messages.

This was quite the welcome distraction for her life. Her mother was not well, and she was the one who always had to care for her since her father often used his work to run away from the problem. This was something fun.

Madge easily slipped the paper into Katniss schoolbag in class when she went to use the bathroom; they sat behind each other after all. She couldn't wait until Katniss discovered the note from Peeta. During lunchtime, they were outside. As the weather changed the students wouldn't be allowed outdoors and they would have to eat indoors. Katniss sat next to her with her eyes closed. She hardly brought lunch and during this hour she often simply slept. Her head rested against a tree.

"What?" Katniss scowled her eyes were still closed.

"Nothing," Madge hid her smile.

"You're staring at me Madge, I can feel it."

"No, I'm not." Then she looked up and saw her maid Arabella and a school official standing by the fence. "Great."

Katniss frowned then opened her eyes. "What's the matter?"

"My mom's acting up again. My dad sent Arabella to come and pick me up."

"Sorry."

"It's okay. Listen could you do me a favor, would you get me some berries? I think they might help my mom out."

"Sure no problem," Katniss watched as Madge quickly left.

It was a great day outside, warm and beautiful, but Katniss felt bad for her friend. Many didn't know how bad she had it. Her mother suffered from spells that often meant Madge had to be the adult.

Something both girls shared, absentee parents. The only difference being Madge's mother had never recovered while her mother had at least managed to function, and she was an excellent healer.

Katniss would get the berries even though she did not have to hunt today. She could use the coin. Getting up, she looked toward where Peeta sat with his friends. He was laughing at something. She was glad to see he was happy. Looking down, she picked up her bag and walked away. The bell for lunch was about to ring.

After school, Katniss found herself at the back door of the Mayor's house.

She lifted her hand and knocked on the door again.

It was odd that none of the staff came to answer. They never took this long. She became still, blocking out the ambient noise, trying to see if she could hear some form of life on the opposite side of the door. Katniss heard the slight static sound and clicking noise of the Peacekeepers radio.

With lightning-like reflexes, she jumped from the back stoop of the Mayor's house and hid in the bushes. With all of the new Peacekeepers in town, it would not be good to be found with her bag containing a rabbit, three squirrels and two containers filled with berries that couldn't be found within district fence. Poaching was punishable by death. In her case, they would whip her to send a warning to the residents.

In the old days, the Peacekeepers were her biggest clients. Darius, despite him being an idiot, was one of the guys who would turn a blind eye to her trading. He was the first of the former group who bought from her. As things began to change Cray gave him an ultimatum. In many ways, she was sad to see Darius forced to leave his post, but he opted to stay, while many of the others chose to sign up again and were transferred. Katniss was sure it was due to his sweetheart he had in the Seam. He always paid her and Gale the best prices for game.

Katniss watched the back door open and four men in that dreaded white uniform step out. Their leader had his helmet in his hands. Mayor Undersee stood at the door, quietly watching the man put his helmet back on.

"Thank you for your visit gentlemen. If there is anything I can assist you with all you need do is ask." Mayor Undersee's voice, although pleasant, sounded strained.

"Let headquarters know this house is clear." The man did not address the Mayor as he walked away.

One of the men immediately conveyed the message.

Katniss watched the men leave the area. She was about to make a mad dash from her hidden spot when she heard the Mayor address his daughter. She paused ducking closer to the ground.

"Madge you shouldn't go out there. They still might be in the vicinity."

"I need to breathe father." Madge's voice wafted through the open back door.

"Okay, okay just stay close."

"Don't worry, I'll be just outside." Madge pushed open the screen door then sat on the stoop.

Katniss was not sure if she should get out of the bushes and make her presence be known. There seemed to be a lot going on that she was not sure she should be privy to. She decided she was going to wait until the coast was clear and then get out as quietly as she could.

"Katniss you can come out of the bush."

"How'd you know I was here?" Katniss inquired.

"I saw you from the upstairs window while my room was being ransacked," Madge replied sarcastically.

"I'm sorry." Katniss clumsily made her way out of the bush on all fours.

"Don't be, it's not your fault."

Awkwardly, Katniss stood there not knowing what to say or do.

"I hate this."

"Madge, you shouldn't say stuff like that!" Katniss whispered looking around. The Peacekeepers could still be within hearing range.

"It's okay. I'm just upset because my father is being put under a microscope."

Katniss sighed then looked up at the sky to determine the time. This sort of talk out in the opened near the men who could easily shoot them made her uncomfortable.

Madge sighed. "My mom hand another spell, and my dad left me alone with those guys."

"What?"

"Yeah, we are being watched now. All of the Mayors are being," Madge put up her fingers in quotation and spoke, "Evaluated."

"Evaluated?"

"It is some new program the President initiated and has signed into law. All of the District Twelve Governmental Representatives, the Mining officials, even Cray is being appraised to see how efficient and how loyal they are to the President."

She was going to have to take the berries home. It was a loss, but she was not going to aid in her friend's destruction. "I guess you don't want the berries I picked in the forest."

"Oh, I want those berries!"

"You're crazy. I can't sell you these."

"Yes, you are, Katniss."

"But what if the Peacekeepers come back?"

"They always come back. This is the fourth time I had all my belongings examined as if they were contraband, things that are Capitol approved. I know they'll be back, just to intimidate." Madge shrugged.

"If they find the berries, you and your family can be punished or worse, put to death."

"I don't care what the Capitol does to me. If I die, I will die knowing I had a taste of freedom." Madge reached down into her pocket and produced a few coins and slapped them into Katniss hands.

Katniss shook her head as she opened her bag and handed Madge one of the containers full of wild berries that were still available. She didn't think she could be so brave as Madge. She hid in the shadows and crept in the unseen because she did not want to get caught. Madge, however, was willing to put herself in the limelight to be a heard without having to say a word.

"I'm sorry to dump this on you. Look, go home. Just be careful. I haven't heard anything about them searching the Seam homes yet, but just make sure you and Gale are clean okay. If you need receipts for dried meat, let me know. I can get some from you from Rooba."

Katniss nodded and walked away. The Peacekeepers searching the Mayor's home did not sit well with her at all.