Good Morning I do apologize for the massive break, I was finishing up the MoreS2SL stories I contributed. I thought I would change the post date to for KENS. I am going to test out posting on Sundays from now on. Thank you for your patience. Special thanks to Norbertsmom for betaing twice! As always I do not own the Hunger Games. PS this chapter is dedicated to Buttercupbadass who sent me a Buttercup scenario to good to pass up.

The last time we saw the D12 crew Katniss has finally accepted she has a major thing for Peeta, Madge is getting deeper into the rebellion, Rye has just joined and poor Delly has lost her mother...

It was hard to think of her mother as gone. She had to sell her mother's things, not that the two coins she received for them was much, but now at least they had a total of 4 coins between them.

Many things were not as readily available as they once were and prices had multiplied. Fewer people came to the shop because they could not afford it. The only ones that could afford the repairs were the Peacekeepers and thanks to a new law, the repairs to their boots were cut in half.

Delly hauled the laundry to the bathroom. Her brother Danny had an accident last night. She glanced outside the small window, it was snowing steadily. The district once again was covered in snow.

The day after Christmas, shortly after two pm, heavy snow began falling. It was a steady snow that showed no sign of slowing. It was also bitterly cold outside and overcast. The only sign that the day had begun was the sound of the rooster crowing. Delly woke up each morning to the sound of the rooster's jarring melody. She couldn't complain really because Gale had miraculously gotten for them a source of food. She'd been finding different recipes to make eggs for her family and introducing it into food. She was also trading eggs for food at the grocers.

Leaning back, Delly recalled how Gale had spent the night trying to make her laugh with knock, knock jokes. He tried to make her laugh or smile any which way he could.

Delly leaned over the bathtub and began scrubbing their clothing on the washboard. She missed her mother. She longed for her mom's quiet companionship, the steadfast shoulder Delly needed on a bad day. Now she was alone as her father had shut himself in the shop. Her brother spent his days and nights sleeping. She wanted to mourn, but she didn't have time to wallow. Bills needed to get paid and even though her father and brother were emotionally distant, they still needed to be taken care of.

Her life wasn't any different other than her support system was taken away. Delly often wondered how Katniss did the impossible at the age of eleven. Delly thought it was wonderful that Peeta and Katniss were together, at least they could lean on each other.

Tears fell from her eyes and she wiped them with her arm.

Delly could hear the lonesome song in her heart.

Black clouds are behind me, I now can see ahead

Often I wonder why I try hoping for an end

Sorrow weighs my shoulders down

And trouble haunts my mind

But I know the present will not last

And tomorrow will be kinder...tomorrow...will-

Delly wept silently. Her heartbroken voice echoing in the bathroom.

It never occurred to Delly that on that night her mother was saying her goodbyes. The song was her way of saying that despite the troubles and the dark storm that surrounded her and the district, the future was going to be okay. There would be sorrow and pain along the way, but it was going to be okay. Delly held on to that hope as tears slipped down her cheeks.

Her father called, "Delly, where are you?"

Delly wiped her face quickly.

"Oh, there you are." Her father stood at the entrance of the bathroom. He was pale with dark smudges under his eyes. "I need you to make a delivery to Darius, please." The words tumbled out of her father's mouth and he looked as if he was going to collapse into himself, like one of the stars in the sky when it imploded.

Delly stood. Her arms were dripping with soapy water.

"Thank you, Delly. I left them on the table." Her father walked away, shoulders hunched over.

She sighed, seeing her father like this caused her to bury her sadness. She couldn't wallow in her own pain when she had to take care of others. She couldn't be selfish. She quickly finished up the laundry and left it hanging. Delly checked her brother and saw that he was fast asleep. She put her jacket on and stepped out into the cold blustery day.

Delly walked through the town. It was snowing rather briskly. Delly glanced up at the sky, at least her mother's suffering was over and her last days were spent happily with Mrs. Everdeen's gentle administration.

A squad of Peacekeepers was marching toward her. Delly flattened herself against a wall as they walked by. Delly caught a number on one of their uniforms instead of a letter. This puzzled her but she kept on walking toward the row of homes.

She went around to the back when she was met with Jeb and a few of the other Hob vendors speaking to Darius. They stood outside, their faces were not fearful or angered, had she a knife she could cut the tension.

"Jeb, I think this is a mistake. I think what everyone is doing is a mistake. We spoke about this." Darius rubbed his face.

Poor Darius looked tired. He was a young man, but being a Peacekeeper had aged him and dealing with the poor starving folk was not easy.

"I am sorry you feel that way." Jeb stood with his oversized coat at Darius's door.

"I know all of you have needs, but reopening up your booths at the Hob," Darius' voice rose above the small group, "it's dangerous. The Peacekeepers have been watching the Hob. They note who comes in and who comes out."

One of the vendors spoke out loud. "We have to make a living, Darius. This winter's been especially hard."

Delly stood listening to a few folk in the back complain and utter things that were incendiary.

Yvette snickered, "Most of us don't have cushy jobs with the Mayor's office."

"We don't even live on this side of town." A voice toward the middle said loud enough to cause the group of about 15 people to begin to grumble as to how unfair it was that he was not living like them.

"I have to feed my family," an angry voice shouted at Darius.

Dread was the only word to describe what Delly felt in the pit of her stomach. They did have a point; everyone was hungry, and things were expensive. This winter by far had been the worst. It was colder than usual, and the snowfall had far exceeded any on record. People had died in their homes because of cold-related reasons. One night it got so cold three people in town were found dead in their sleep.

Darius shook his head. "This winter has been hard on everyone, but believe me I don't think it's over."

A murmur spread amongst the crowd.

"How do you know this?" someone asked.

"Yes, tell us how you know this?"

"I just know. At the Mayor's office, I have access to things. It's going to get worse as the winter months progress."

This information caused the line of distrust and anger to dissipate, though on their faces Delly could see that this also made their resolve to stay at the Hob and continue to conduct business necessary.

Darius must have seen it too because he began to plead with them, "Please, there is a reason I told you to stay out. There is a lot of buzz amongst the Peacekeepers. Trust me the Capitol-"

Jeb stood up. "Darius, I know you care for us, but we all have got to do what's right for us." Jeb glanced around before saying, "I am sorry Darius, but I've opened up my stall, did it the day after Christmas, and I'm not going to close it."

"Jeb," Darius's voice took a pleading tone.

"I've got to live my life the way I see fit and I refuse to live a life in fear." Jeb stared at Darius in the face. "You guys decide what to do, but I'm going back to my booth."

Jeb left, but he wouldn't look Delly in the face as he passed by.

"Please do not do this, don't go back there," Darius pleaded. "Fred, Jessa, Carl, Yvette." They wouldn't respond to Darius. They left one at a time until there was no one in Darius's backyard except for Delly.

"Darius," Delly timidly stepped forward.

"I tried to warn them. They are all fools."

Darius was agitated and Delly could understand why. Things were very precarious in the district. That feeling in the pit of her stomach grew. Today she could see that the pot was nearly at boiling. Everyone was tired of living in fear. They were tired of the high costs, and not having the resources. They were like Gale, just trying to put food on the table for his family.

"I'm sorry Darius," Delly began.

"No, there's no need to feel sorry, Delly. I stayed behind here because I love this broken down place. From the moment I stepped foot in District Twelve, I felt at home. You don't know what it's like in other districts. I'm from D2. They're miners too, but they've been conditioned to think the Capitol and the Games are the only way of life."

Delly listened to Darius as he glanced up at the stacks of the mining building in the distance.

"The only way you see the brutality of the life there is if you were like me, an orphan brought up in the community home. Where you're not worthy enough to go to the Games and no one wants you. A lot of us end up as Peacekeepers. Then you're trained and you feel grateful for a bed and a hot meal. Until you travel to other districts and you see just how oppressed and hungry everyone really is and you realize you've become their oppressor."

"You were never an oppressor, Darius." Delly handed him his child's shoes. "You were here to do exactly what your title really meant, to keep the peace. You were a friend to many of us. That's why we respect your word."

Darius smiled. "Delly Cartwright someone ought to bundle up that sunshine of yours and sell it."

"Can you tell that to my father?" she said sardonically. "He finds me annoying."

Darius laughed. "How are you doing, Delly?"

Delly didn't know how to answer him.

"You miss your mom?"

She nodded.

"How's Hawthorne?"

This question caught her off guard. "Gale?"

"Is there any other?"

She frowned. "He's been around."

"Gale must really like you to visit you."

Delly shook her head. "Gale Hawthorne thinks he is in love with Katniss."

"Stupid, right?" Darius laughed. "Katniss doesn't want Gale, not when she's been sneaking in and out of Peeta's window for months, and before that she was watching him from the tree."

"Wait, what?" Delly was shocked that Darius knew.

"Katniss, she's been watching Peeta for years. You of all people know that."

Delly swallowed. "Darius I cannot confirm nor deny anything."

Darius laughed. "I always knew you were smart. Now back to Hawthorne. Just be ready for it. That kid has a propensity to do stupid stuff. You can't go soft on him when he does."

"Darius, you're not making any sense," Delly mentioned.

"In layman's terms, he doesn't know Katniss as well as he thinks he does, but he knows you, and you like him."

Delly could feel her cheeks burning. It was true, she liked Gale. "I do, I like him. He drives me bonkers sometimes, but I can't help it." Delly glanced down at the snow beneath her feet. "He doesn't like me. Heck, I don't even know if he sees past my blond hair and fat face."

"Believe me, Delly. Gale Hawthorne does not think you're fat."

Delly blinked but didn't say anything.

"Delly, he listens to you. He is irrational and irascible, but when it comes to you he's like a puppy that follows its owner around blindly. Trust me when I tell you he's got to stay out of trouble, and you're the only one that can talk sense to him."

Delly bushed.

"You know I'm telling you the truth." Darius watched Delly nod, but over her shoulder he watched Madge and Purina walk by. Both of them were acting funny. He frowned, wondering what those two were up to. "Delly, listen I have to go, but if you need help with anything let me know."

"Okay," Delly said before leaving.

Darius used his training to follow both women. He peeked around the corner. He saw them speaking to Rye Mellark. Darius wondered what the in the world was going on. Rye Mellark was known as a troublemaking skirt chaser. Whatever it was, it wasn't a good thing and Darius was determined to find out. Using his training as a Peacekeeper he used his excellent listening skills to snoop.

"The group it's getting bigger," Purina said.

"I know, and that's a good thing." Madge had that tone he recognized from her sneaking around the office.

"Some of them don't trust me to show them anything," Rye said.

"Most of them are miners who think you're going to backstab them, Rye. It has nothing to do with you. It has to do with the preconception the Capitol has forced on them." Madge put her hand on Rye's shoulder.

"What are you doing?" Darius let his whereabouts be known.

Madge was about to open her mouth when a squirrel flew between Madge and Purina. Madge jumped back and fell into the snow as an ugly muddy yellow cat barreled after the squirrel.

The cat followed the squirrel up the tree but he got to the point where it couldn't climb anymore. Realizing he was stuck, he began to cry out a painful yowl that had all of them covering their ears.

Mrs. Mellark screeching voice could be heard from outside. "PEETA GO SEE WHAT THAT NOISE IS AND MAKE IT STOP!"

"Crap," Rye said pushing all of them out of the yard and towards the Apothecary. "We've got to hide."

Peeta stepped outside and glanced up into the tree. "Buttercup? What are you doing in our backyard?"

At the sight of Peeta, the cat purred and let Peeta carrying him down off of the branch. "Corky, what are you up to?"

The squirrel poked its head from its den at the top of the tree. It scampered down and watched Peeta hold the cat who hissed up at the squirrel.

"Come on, buddy. Let's take you home to Primrose. I'm sure you are cold."

Darius waited until Peeta was gone to then speak, "What was that?"

"That was the world's ugliest cat." Rye shook his head. "I don't know how my brother can stand picking up that thing without worrying about getting flea-bitten. He has a thing about helping out the underdogs."

"Peeta is a softy." Madge giggled before her voice became serious. "Darius, we've been training for the day we can attack the Peacekeepers. Purina has been helping us with weapons training. We want to introduce hand to hand combat, but the miners won't respect Rye." Madge started straight at him. "The question is, do you want to join us?"

Darius shook his head momentarily. He was shocked, but on the other hand, he wasn't, because the people had the right to be free. He had a decision to make and it was an easy one when he thought of his little girl having to go through seven years of Reapings. "Okay I'll help with what I know and then I'll introduce Rye's skills."

Madge's eyes brightened.

"But you're thinking too small."

"What do you mean?" Madge looked puzzled.

"We're going to have to make this movement global. It wouldn't help us if we just took them down the local Peacekeepers. We're one of the outlying districts. The Capitol would strike back harder to make an example of us."

"Darius is right. The Capitol will have no qualms in firebombing us to show the other districts what happens when they defy the Capitol."

"So what you are saying is we need a nationwide rebellion?" Rye whispered.

"That's what's we need to do then." Madge's chin was set. She glanced at Darius. "How do we do this? How do we get the word out?"

Darius could see the spark of mutiny within her. He thought to himself, perhaps the districts needed Madge to gather around. "I may know of one person who could help, if, I can get him to agree. He does have a way to communicate to the other districts."

"Good, you work on that," Madge addressed Darius then turned to the group. "In the meantime, we're going to have to set up schedules to train people, and eventually we're going to need a bigger space."

Darius half listened to Madge and sighed. The person he was thinking about might not agree, but they were essential. He wondered how the heck he was going to manage it.

Across town, Peeta carried Primrose's cat in his arms. Although Buttercup wasn't the most handsome of cats, the beast was Katniss's little sister beloved pet. He was purring in Peeta's arms. "How did you get all the way across town in the cold? I thought you didn't like the snow?" Peeta rubbed the back of his ears.

"Mearroww," Buttercup purred.

Arriving in the Seam, he went to the Everdeen house. Although he had never been to her house, Peeta knew where Katniss lived. It was a bit stalkerish, but he was very well acquainted with her life. He loved her for so long that getting to hold her seemed like a dream.

Each time she came to see him, he was afraid that he would wake it up to find that it was all just some fantasy he made up. Insanely, he would awaken several times in the night just to confirm she was with him. Once he focused on her sweet face, he was able to relax and go back to sleep.

His world revolved around her and he worried because he knew how harsh the winter was.

"Buttercup," Prim called worriedly.

"Meow," the cat plaintively cried at the sound of his owner.

Prim ran toward him. "BUTTERCUP!"

The cat yowled as if he had been through the harshest ordeal. Peeta found it cute to see her concern. It was the same face Katniss had whenever she spoke about Prim.

"Prim!" Katniss rounded the corner.

Both girls came to a full stop before Peeta. "Hi," he greeted.

"Where did you find him?" Prim asked, taking the large cat in her arms. "My poor baby!"

Katniss rolled her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, her gray eyes sparkled in the daylight, and she looked beautiful. "Hi."

"I found him in the bakery backyard." Standing in front of Katniss and not being able to act like they did when in private was difficult. They, after all, were friends, but they had not gone public with their friendship. He jammed his hands in his pockets. "I don't know how he got there. I think he got lost and couldn't find his way home."

"You saved him." Prim gently held the cat who behaved like a human baby. "Would you like some tea?" Prim smiled up at him. Peeta could see Katniss' shyness.

"If it's okay with your mom?"

"Oh, she won't mind." Prim smiled. "Right Katniss?"

"Why don't you go tell mom that we have a visitor, Little Duck?"

Prim was off leaving Katniss alone with him. They openly stared at the other hungrily. "So," Peeta started. "It's nice to see you in the afternoon."

Katniss turned red and began to move.

"Seriously, how are you?" He fell in step beside her.

Her head turned slightly and he watched her eyes slowly travel down his form, and give him a look that made his heart jump in his chest.

"Okay. Thank you for rescuing Prim's cat."

"He was chasing Corky."

"Dumb cat is in for a rude awakening," Katniss muttered.

Peeta chuckled. "I'm just wondering how he got all the way to town. Seriously, from what I recall, the cat doesn't like the cold."

"He doesn't, but he's a mouser and he will follow his prey. He probably thinks Corky is a mouse with a bushy tail."

They both laughed at her description.

"I think I have to tell Shirley to keep an eye out for Corky. I wouldn't want her to become a widow." He put his hands over his heart. "She would be devastated."

Katniss chuckled. "You may have to be careful. Your little bromance with Corky may get you in trouble with Shirley."

"Are you trying to start trouble with me and my friend," he said in an offended voice.

She laughed harder.

"I just think you need to be open minded. A squirrel and a boy can be friends without one needing to gobble the other up."

"So says the boy who loves squirrel stew."

He chuckled. "Good one."

They arrived at the front of the house. The back of their hands rubbed together as they walked toward the door. Their fingers touched, needing the contact. Slowly his finger looped with hers as they reached the door.

He was overjoyed that they were practically holding hands. Katniss was really private about her emotions. Peeta was sure this was a step in the right direction as he followed her into her home.

Katniss wrapped her hand around his when she saw her mother standing by the stove. Her mother quirked an eyebrow at their twined hands briefly before her face blossomed into a welcome smile. Peeta could see traces of Katniss in her mother the shape of her nose, the way her face brightened when she smiled.

"Hello Mrs. Everdeen, a pleasure to meet you." Peeta extended his hands politely towards her mother.

"Hello Peeta," Lavender said. "Your hands are awfully cold. Why don't you have a seat and I'll pour you some tea."

Peeta sat at the table. The Everdeen house, despite being smaller and chillier than his home was filled with warmth. It was simply furnished, a round table with four chairs in the kitchen and a room to the side had a sofa with a knit throw. He could see the love between all three women. Prim sat by the pot belly stove petting her beloved cat. Katniss sat by him, her leg bounced from the nerves. Peeta covered her hand with his.

Katniss glanced at him and her gray eyes wide, her worry etched on her flushed face. Peeta winked and the worry slowly melted into one of her rare beautiful smiles. Her gray eyes sparkled like twin jewels.

Lavender missed nothing. Her daughter was definitely besotted with Eugene's youngest son. Peeta had a way of drawing Katniss out of her shell. Katniss wasn't as closed off, and she glowed with happiness. Lavender had seen the way Peeta calmed her daughter with a simple touch, much the way Katniss father had done when she first met his mother.

"How do you take your tea?" Lavender poured the liquid into his cup.

"Just as is," Katniss said. "Peeta doesn't like milk or sugar in his tea."

Lavender hid her smile. "Thank you for finding Buttercup. Primrose was beside herself with worry."

"He was in our backyard. I think he might have gotten lost in the snow." Peeta picked up the teacup to drink.

"Your father and I were great friends growing up. He was a quiet young man, very sweet."

Peeta blushed. "He told me about how he was supposed to marry you but you fell for your husband."

"My husband's voice was unlike anything I'd ever heard. Your father was very supportive of my relationship. For that I am grateful."

"I think I better get back before my mom realizes I've been gone for long." Peeta stood up to leave. "Thank you for the tea."

"You're welcome," Lavender said. "Katniss why don't you escort your young man outside."

Katniss felt the heat touch her cheeks. "Sure."

She walked outside with Peeta. "Don't know when I'll be able to make it to the bakery. It's been so cold lately and that last snowfall was so huge, it blocked the roads."

"You come and see me when you can. I'll always keep my window open for you, no matter how cold it gets outside."

Katniss nodded wanting to have a little bit more time with him, but, understood he needed to get back. His mother would not appreciate him leaving for so long. She leaned up and gave him a brief hug and a quick kiss on the cheek before he left.

She stood watching him, the door to the house opened.

"I like him, he is a nice young man," her mother put her arm around her shoulders.

Katniss nodded, but something in her gut clenched as she watched the dark clouds gathering, a storm was approaching.