Thank you all for your patience last week. This chapter was a monster to write but I wanted to make as perfect as possible and it couldn't have happened without my lovely and talented Beta Norbertsmom. PS I don't own the Hunger Games

Now...on to the revolution

Madge read the first three lines of her book once more. Her mind was not on the written word before her. She mourned the loss of her friend Arabella, but could not show it outwardly. She had to put on a face of indifference and of disgust. Madge swore her friend would be avenged. Glancing outside she knew the deaths of Cray and Arabella changed District Twelve. The unrest could be felt even here inside of the Mayor's home. People were whispering about how no one was safe. No one, Seam or Merchant, was special to the Capitol.

Madge tried to read her book once more, but her mind was busily contemplating her next move for the rebellion. She sat in one of the large window seats near the warmest place in the house, the kitchen. Since that night, snowfall had intensified. The temperatures had dropped so much that when people went outside their faces hurt.

Madge received word that all across Panem the districts were prepared to fight. Even district two the strong house for the Capitol, joined in the fight. As per Haymitch, the Peacekeepers stationed were forced to take action against their own due to rioting for food. Haymitch said while they were starving, trains with supplies haven't reached them in months. The last Peacekeepers were shipped out in January. They were one of the districts that had been suffering from the weather the longest. The Nut, the main concentration for the Peacekeeper school had a mini-rebellion on its hands.

The rest of the districts were ready, they had amassed a great army of men and women and were ready to attack. Madge wanted to do a massive launch. Nature was rendering the Capitol useless. From the message sent about Gale, Madge knew Thread was supposed to come out here nearly a month ago. She learned he'd been dispatched from District Five but his train was stuck in District Nine.

Madge closed her book briefly and once more thought about an all-out attack. If they could somehow take advantage of the Capitol in its weakened state, freedom could be had. Madge sighed. She glanced outside and grimaced. She pondered how to organize a simultaneous attack. Communication was a problem.

The wind whipped outside. The windows of the house were frosty, but when she blew on it, it cleared up.

The reaping was days away. People were hungry. They couldn't even get Tessare if they had already gotten it. Thread instituted a ration. Regardless of class, on a weekly basis, a family of four could only purchase one loaf of bread, a ½ pound of fat or butter, two pounds of meat, ½ pound dry milk, and a ½ pound of either Tessera flour or if they were lucky regular flour, and six canned goods. He brought back restrictions, not just for the Seam, but for the Merchants as well. There were new hours of operations, everyone had an assigned day to make purchases. It was alphabetical now with A to C on Mondays, through V to Z on Saturdays. Madge didn't understand why all of the food restrictions were put in place. District Twelve was the least of the districts, nearly beaten down with all of the hardship.

They needed to be free.

Her mind worked furiously to come up with a way to not only launch a nationwide attack but to get rid of the Peacekeepers in her home district. She had drawn a picture of the layout of the Peacekeeper's area using words in her book.

They had four buildings now. The largest building contained the SJ-7's, other smaller tactical vehicles and one hovercraft. Another building contained supplies, and there were now two living quarters for the Capitol forces. One building was more high-tech than the other. There were roughly one hundred and fifty highly trained men and women in those barracks. From what Darius told her their uniforms were made to protect them from the heat and cold. Though the extreme temperatures rendered their uniforms useless.

They started using tactical vehicles to do their patrols.

Rubbing her temple she thought of the new head Peacekeeper, Thread. The man was a devotee of the Capitol. Unlike Cray who lived in town, Thread refused to stay in the Head Peacekeeper's house. Thread arrived shortly after midnight. He went directly to the house. Cray was asleep, but Thread found Arabella going through Cray's things, looking for clues about the weather. Thread arrested them both and that night executed them as a demonstration of his power.

Thread made his point He would not be easily swayed or bought. He was of the Capitol and the district citizens were beneath him. He stayed with his guards in the older bunker that wasn't as high tech as the newer one. Her father said Thread believed a little cold wasn't going to harm him.

Madge wanted to scratch the man's eyes out. She pursed her lips; life was so different now. She remembered the days before the cold, talk of rebellion, and Capitol spies. Back then she was just a shy teenager with nothing more pressing than what boy she had a crush on. She was nostalgic for the old days.

Madge glanced outside, snow fell at a steady pace. It was surreal that they were a stone's throw away from summer and it was still snowing. Madge longed for the warmth of the sun, to see green leaves, and pretty colored flowers. She would give her left arm to taste the sweet-tart refreshing taste of plump strawberries.

Her fingertips tapped on the top of the book as she took a look at her map once more.

She knew the Peacekeeping forces Snow had ordered to come here were eating rationed food from the reserves. Unlike District Two, the last train with supplies that had made it to the district arrived from District Eleven at the beginning of the month and brought much-needed supplies to the district. School would still be open for another few weeks until a week after the Games closed, so kids had to be fed.

Thread made skipping school a punishable crime. Madge rolled her eyes. No one at this point was willing to keep their kids home. Yesterday at school kids were treated for exposure to the cold. Many of the kids only came to school because it was their only meal. Many brought containers to take home leftovers to share with family members. Thread's decree proved just how asinine the man was.

Madge wondered once more how to get rid of the new Head Peacekeeper. The man was a vicious brute sent to kill people. In the forty-eight hours he had been in the district, the whippings multiplied, the deaths of innocents tripled. Anyone caught doing the least minimal violation was whipped or worse put outside in the gallows. Because of the cold weather, people froze overnight. Their dead blue bodies a silent reminder that the Capitol was present.

Yesterday the Merchants' homes were once again inspected for non-compliant material. People were scared and traumatized as Thread condemned a woman older than Greasy Sae for her shawl. Thread claimed the shaw was non-compliant and threw her out into the cold. She died shortly afterward.

Darius came and sat in the room with Madge. He rubbed his face.

"What's wrong?" Madge recognized his worried face. There was a tick in his brow that became prominent. Madge clicked on the jamming device she got from a Victor named Beetee from District Three via Haymitch. The device looked like a bookmark, and she kept it in her book at all times. It kept her conversations private.

"I just intercepted a message from the Capitol."

Madge frowned. Whatever it was, had to be pretty bad news.

"A big freeze is coming." Darius rubbed his face again.

"Isn't it already freezing?" Madge put her book down.

"It's going to get colder and not just here, all across Panem. It might even snow in District Four. They are not equipped for the snow. Even in places that are it's going to be dangerous to step outside of your home."

"Are they going to let the residents know?" Madge was horrified at the thought of all of those innocent people dying because they did not have sufficient notice.

"From what I quickly read it's supposed to start a day after the Reaping."

"Do you know how cold it is going to get?"

"According to the Capitol, it might dip below minus fifty. If it gets that cold, being exposed for ten seconds can kill you or cause extensive damage. Even the Peacekeepers will be useless."

"But the SJ-7's are impermeable to the cold." Madge bit her bottom lip.

"That's a myth, a Capitol propaganda. If the temperatures dip that low the viscosity of the liquid used to power the engine turns to slush. Their vehicles won't start. Even now they're having trouble starting them. Forget about weapons. The trough of cold air will reach down to District Four, and no one knows just how cold it might get there."

"Do you know how long the freeze will last?"

"The message didn't say, but within the next few days, the temperatures are going to fall steeply. There are some districts where the temperatures are already low, lower than it is here. When the freeze begins, sometime after the Reaping, there will be more restrictions, a total ban on movement."

Madge quickly thought about all of the defenseless people who would be caught in the dead of night. "A lot of the houses in the Seam aren't prepared for those types of temperatures, people will freeze," Madge stood up. "We've got to get the map."

"The map?"

"It's a map of the best houses in the Seam, if we can get people into the sturdiest homes we can save people. They can pool their resources together." Madge walked toward Purina's office. It was empty. She walked in and behind Purina's desk was the map. There were homes marked in red in the Seam. "These homes here and these over here have the best chance of survival. Everyone would be stacked on top of each other, but at least they'll be able to survive. We can even shelter people inside of the Victors Village, if necessary. Those houses are the best in the district."

"Okay, I'll get the word out. We can move those families just before it gets worse."

"Good," Madge said as they walked out of Purnia's office, and toward his.

The weather was an opportunity for her to do something. All of the Peacekeepers were going to be stuck. If the districts could find a way to coordinate an attack before or immediately after the weather threat was over they could win. They even had rebels in the Capitol, high ranking officials that were against Snow and his regime.

It was a gamble.

Madge worried her lip. She tapped her book; she needed to go for a walk.

"What about having a meeting?"

"We'll have one tonight, get the word out." Madge opened her book and grinned. "Darius, this freeze presents us with an awesome opportunity."

"What do you mean?"

"With the freeze Peacekeepers all over Panem will be inactive. Only District Four and parts of Ten and One will be unaffected. The rest of the Districts will be under the lockdown."

"Yeah," Darius said.

"I need to speak to Haymitch. There might be a way to form a coordinated strike to stop the Capitol."

"What do you have in mind?"

"I need to speak to Haymitch." Madge didn't want to say not until she had all of her answers.

"Okay then, I guess we're going for a walk."

After getting into their snow gear, they left. With the arrival of Thread, the snow ladened streets were all but abandoned.

The cold made them rush through town toward the Victors Village. They found Haymitch sitting outside with a blanket. "Thought you two might show up."

"Really, why is that?"

"We're in June and I'm forming icicles every time I breathe."

"I just intercept a message…"

"That it's going to get colder," Haymitch grumbled, "Let's stop with the dramatics kid and let's get down to business. I'm freezing my britches out here.

Madge grinned. "Then you know I've got an idea."

Haymitch glanced at her for a long time before asking, "What do you have in mind?"

"District Five clearly doesn't have solar power currently, but they have a dam that creates the majority of the electric for Panem, including the Capitol," Madge said.

Haymitch said, "Yea."

"What if we take down the dam right before the freeze? It will cause all of the Capitol to shut down, including the Peacekeeping forces' utilities and take that much longer to repair after the freeze. I know if we do this there will be casualties. But we can send the message out to the districts to prepare. We can cause major disruptions, cause those on the fence in the Capitol to come over to our side."

"Let me give you advice about the Capitol. They need something to rally around. Although the districts are rallying around you, the Capitol needs a darling, someone they can idolize. They don't know you."

"Who do we get?" Darius asked

Madge was a little taken back by the news but then she thought about how Juliet's parents stood in the way of their daughter and the lengths she had gone through to be with Romeo, had she told Romeo about her plan they wouldn't have ended dead. Her parents' inability to be flexible caused the catalyst for what happened in the end. Madge quickly rationalized it didn't matter who the spark was, freedom was the ultimate goal. The more she thought about it the more she realized there was one person who was an inspiration to her.

"Why don't we ask Katniss?" Madge suggested.

"Everdeen's oldest?" Haymitch rubbed his chin. "The girl ain't much to look at, though I did know her paw."

"Haymitch, Katniss is the reason I went down this path to rebelling in the first place. She's willing to break the law every day to provide for her family." Madge crossed her arms defensively, ready to fight tooth and nail for Katniss.

"Fine, if you believe this girl can do the job then convince her." Haymitch raised an eyebrow. "Besides, there's still the question of the generators that kick in when the power goes down."

"We're going to a need a team, a specialized group to take out the generators, and not just here, but across Panem."

"Possibly take out their fuel supply, maybe even have the Peacekeepers on our side fight from within." It was necessary for their allies to fight as well. Madge discovered many Peacekeepers were not loyal to the Capitol and thought the way the districts were being handled in this time of crisis was wrong. "Darius can you reach out to your friends and tell them of the plan."

"Sure." Darius rubbed his hands. The cold was starting to penetrate their clothing.

"This can work." Haymitch took a flask out from his pocket and took a swig.

"Then tonight I'll make sure everyone attends," Darius said.

"And I'll ask for volunteers." Madge was glad they had formed some sort of plan now all they needed was a date.

"Good, I'm glad. I'm freezing out here." Haymitch nodded and walked back inside.

Madge left with Darius. The signal for the meeting went out. Despite the cold, the room was packed as the meeting request was urgent. The Victor's home was a safe space where they could speak freely and make plans thanks to a device concocted by district three. The surveillance cameras only saw an empty room with scuttering mice. The men and women gathered were all waiting to hear from Madge.

Gale stood in the back of the crowd waiting.

Yesterday night he was surprised to find out there was a full-scale rebellion right under his nose. He, the biggest hater of the Capitol, was dumbfounded that Madge was orchestrating the entire effort in District Twelve.

He was to train in hand to hand combat with Rye Mellark; a guy he once thought of as a foe. Gale respected the baker's middle child now. He was playing a part, one of the irresponsible party boy, while in reality, he wanted freedom and equality. Rye hated prejudice and how it divided the district, making them weak. Gale had never thought about how he played into the Capitol's planted distrust among the citizens to divide the district and keep it controllable. He imagined the Capitol did anything within their power to keep the districts in check.

Gale rubbed his face as he leaned back into the wall. They were in the basement. It was the cleanest and least foul smelling of all the rooms of the house. Madge came in with Darius and the ex-Peacekeeper. He forgot her name.

"I'm sure all of you are wondering why you're held up in Haymitch's stinky basement instead of training." Madge addressed the gathered crowd.

The room was quiet.

"This morning," Darius began speaking. "I intercepted a weather transmission from the Capitol. The weather is going to get worse."

"Do you know when?" Rye asked.

"Sometime after the Reaping," Darius answered.

People began to talk and from the crowd, someone asked, "How cold will it get?"

"It will get so cold the Peacekeepers will be confined to the barracks."

Hearing the cold would stop the Peacekeepers brought hopeful murmuring throughout the group.

Another asked, "What about our families?"

"Who is going to help us?" A man shouted with fear dripping from his voice. Everyone knew that the cold could very well destroy them.

People in front of Gale were talking about how this was going to affect them. Gale thought about his family and Katniss' family. Their homes were not as nearly prepared; they would freeze. He needed to find a place for them to hide. He knew Katniss wasn't speaking to him because of his stupidity, but maybe he could get through to her mother through Delly.

"We have a plan," Madge shouted over the rising voices.

Gale watched as they eventually settled down.

"As I was saying, We have a plan," Madge spoke up. "I'm well aware most of the homes in the Seam are not equipped to handle this type of weather. There are some homes in the Seam that can. We want to relocate families before the freeze to ensure survival."

Darius spoke up, "It will be too dangerous to go outside, so it's important that you have enough food, water, and heat supply to maintain you for the duration of the cold snap."

"We've got enough coal that's for sure." Someone said and this caused many to laugh.

Gale asked loudly, "Can't we use this to our advantage?"

His question set up a murmur in the room. Gale noted the curious glances that were exchanged between the four leaders. There was more information they were going to share.

"That's exactly what we're aiming to do, boy," Haymitch finally spoke up.

"We're going to do that and we're looking for a select few individuals for a special mission It will be dangerous. We're looking for fearless individuals."

Gale raised his hand. His motivation was his family and Delly. If they could strike the Capitol, they could get rid of the unfairness, the separatism, and the Hunger Games. He was willing to give his life for this. Knowing his family could have a better future was well worth the sacrifice. Delly would be free to marry the man of her choosing without the need of contracts. "I volunteer."

Rye held his hand up as well. "I volunteer."

There were a few others who volunteered as well.

"Good," Madge said. "Those of you who volunteered, come with me. The rest please follow Darius. He will explain which homes that are the best chance of survival, and don't forget to spread the word about the freeze. Tell everyone to prepare for the worst."

Gale followed Madge to a room that had a large cushioned floor mat.

"Feisty here wants to train you like Victors heading into the Games." Haymitch drank from his flask.

"For the next few days, you're gonna hurt. The plan is simple: take out the power in the Capitol, and neutralize the Peacekeepers. This is going to be dangerous and we expect high casualties. So if you want to leave, now is the time to do it." Madge looked at each one of them in the face.

Gale was committed to the effort, and as he glanced around at the people who volunteered he could see that same commitment in their eyes; it was a commitment to freedom.

That evening Madge turned into a taskmaster. The rest of the group would be secondary support in case the plan didn't go through and it was necessary to wage war right after the freeze. All of those gathered hoped this upcoming Reaping was to be the last one.

At the end of the evening, Madge walked up to Rye. "I need you to do me a favor."

"Sure."

Madge handed him a folded piece of paper. "I need you to slip this into Katniss' pocket. You and I both know we need her. If I don't get to speak to her, I know she goes to see your brother."

Rye nodded; they did need Katniss.

The only thing that worked against the group of rebels was the weather. It worsened to the point school was canceled. For two days they trained hard, each on their own, not being able to leave their homes. They practiced in the silence of the night in their rooms. Some were able to sneak to their nearest neighbor to help spar, using mattresses to perfect punches and swipes, knowing every moment spent with their loved ones was special.

As they trained in secret, a quiet desperation settled across District Twelve as the news of the worsening weather stole all hope of spring. There was so much snow the residents piled it into the meadow. There was a frozen mountain in the middle higher than the electrified fence.

The harsh weather combined with the fear of Commander Thread broke many, he was in control and unrelenting.

Katniss bit her lip. Concern and worry for the future was on high. The reaping was one day away. There was a heightened sense of dread felt throughout the district. No one wanted to send their children out in the frozen coldness, but nothing could be done. They were afraid of not complying.

Closing her grey eyes, the sense of impending doom overwhelmed her. Once more she wished to see Peeta. To be held by him, to simply be able to hear his voice and to rest her head on his chest. A tear slid from beneath her lashes. She quickly wiped it away.

Glancing out of the window in the kitchen, the overcast day was coming to an end. There were only forty-five minutes until the curfew.

"You need to see him."

Her mother's gentle voice startled her out of her thoughts. "How did you know?"

"You have that lost look about you. The same look I had when I didn't see your father." Lavender gently placed her hands on Katniss' shoulders and squeezed them before letting go.

Katniss looked down. "I should stay home with you and Prim so close to the reaping."

"You want to be strong and take care of us, but you don't need to. You need him."

"What about Prim? What if she wakes up in the middle of the night, mother?"

"I put a few drops of morphling Madge gave us in Prim's tea. She'll be fine."

"But," Katniss protested.

"But nothing, you're like a caged animal right now. Go," her mother commanded but Katniss didn't move from her spot. She kept on staring at the darkening sky. She confessed, "I miss him."

"I understand. I experienced the desperation at your age. I wanted to see your father so badly. I'd end up crying into my pillow when I couldn't. When we toasted, we didn't leave the house for days." Lavender's cheeks turned bright pink.

"Mom," Katniss whispered, shocked by her mother's declaration. She too could feel her cheeks getting warm.

"It's true," Lavender sighed. She patted Katniss' face. "I don't know if you'll ever allow yourself to have a Toasting with Peeta, but if he's worth-."

"Mom," she uttered shaking her head. The idea of a Toasting with Peeta didn't sound bad. However, with the things the way they were, she didn't want children. Right now she just wanted to concentrate on just being with Peeta.

"Katniss if he is worth it, there are ways to prevent pregnancy. Do not limit the possibilities for fear of the Capitol. I am glad you've allowed yourself to fall in love with him."

Her hands balled into fists as she thought of what her mother said. "It's not easy, sometimes I want to shut myself off and not feel this."

"Katniss, you can't shut down your heart, it will beat for him. You're gonna desire him, to be with him like a woman."

Katniss felt her cheeks turn bright red.

Only Madge knew she and Peeta snuck away in the closet at school. Though she'd never confessed what they did in that closet or for that matter when they found themselves alone. Only she knew how desperate she was for his touch. How she let him feel the weight of her breast in his hands. Or how they dry humped one day when his father left them alone to attend the front of the bakery.

"Just make sure you're careful. I know how much a girl's young body yearns when she finds a mate. I wanted to be with your father all the time." Her mother emphasized the word 'be' and she turned redder.

Katniss turned around to see her mother standing behind her with a gentle face of a woman who had counseled hundreds of young girls who came to her to find a way to not get pregnant. "Mom."

Lavender draped her hand on top Katniss' hand. She handed her one of her teas and some foil packets. "I know, you're pure of heart Katniss. You would tell me if you wanted to be with him."

Katniss nervously bit her lip, churning on the truth. "We've been getting closer."

"You have the look of a girl in love, Katniss. It's only natural to want to touch and be touched by the boy you're in-" Her mother's words drifted.

Katniss turned pink. "Momma…" She was frightened of what she felt. It wasn't the sex talk she most dreaded, it was the emotional stuff that she was having a hard time with. What she felt for Peeta was terrifying, confusing, and at the same time liberating whenever she was with him.

"Oh, Katniss it's okay to admit you love him. I can see it in your face, when you think about him, or speak about him."

She took a deep breath before admitting the truth, "I love him mama, but I'm scared to tell him."

"Take your time." Lavender squeezed her hand, then looked outside. It was getting darker. "If you are going to go, you should leave soon."

"I should get going."

"Katniss, have you spoken to Gale?"

She shook her head. She was mad at him. Gale didn't realize it but he bruised her spirit by not listening to her. She was avoiding him altogether. "No, not since that night. I haven't seen him either. Have you heard anything from Hazelle?"

"The Peacekeepers are harassing them. Hazelle has stopped washing clothing for fear of being caught."

Katniss didn't know about that. "When did that happen?"

"A while back. She was really upset because without that money things have been real tight at home. Gale has been trying to find a job until his last reaping but no one will hire him, not even the mines." Her mother shook her head. "Hazelle said Gale and Rory nearly came to blows. Rory wanted to take out Tessera. Gale wouldn't let him."

Katniss innocently gazed into her mother's eyes, as she held her father's bag. She had no idea things were so desperate with Gale. Then she recalled his dismissive attitude toward Prim's fear of the reaping and her heart hardened up. "I didn't know."

"That's because you don't talk anymore. You've both have taken different paths." Lavender paused momentarily clearing her voice. "Katniss don't get upset."

"What would I get upset about mom?"

"I told Hazelle you had a sweetheart. Hazelle seemed almost relieved actually. She said something strange about how the harsh winter couldn't stop the spring from happening." Lavender continued, "I left her the laundry, not a lot just a few things and paid her with eggs."

Katniss sighed. There was no denying she was with Peeta, but she didn't feel comfortable with Hazelle knowing. It could get back to Gale. She could just imagine how Gale would react; this was a conversation she didn't want to have. With the truth out there Katniss supposed she was going to cross that road a lot quicker. "Thank you. I'm angry with him but, I don't want him to suffer. I just want him to realize what he did and apologize."

Lavender gently patted Katniss cheek. "Like I said, you have a pure heart, Katniss."

"I'm going to get ready to go."

"Okay, just be careful."

Katniss nodded. She quickly packed a few things in her sack then made her way out. It had begun to snow again and she was covered in snow and was starting to shiver. Thankfully, she did not have to worry about the Peacekeepers.

The route she took was familiar and she made it to town just minutes before the curfew started. She easily slipped into the Mellark's backyard. The boys had a built a gate that could only be opened from the inside of the yard. They often left it open when they had a delivery. Katniss made her way to the tree and was about to climb it. She was anticipating Peeta's smile.

"Katniss," Rye said, he was standing at the gate to the backyard.

Startled, she turned around to stare at Rye.

"Jeez come on inside. It's cold out here." Rye motioned her to follow him inside of the house. He looked sideways as he closed the door.

Katniss followed him quietly. It was the first time she was invited inside without having anything to barter. Normally she would have snuck up the tree and hopped into Peeta's room.

Rye motioned for her to stand by the ovens. The heat slowly sunk into her cold body as the snow melted.

"I'll sneak you upstairs once you get warm."

"Thanks, Rye."

"My brother's been mooning over you. He's worried about you. How have you been?"

"We've been okay, though, with Thread, I have to be extra careful."

"Tell me about it. I've been pulled over to take sobriety tests at least 9 times," Rye said as he cleaned up the back.

"Katniss," Peeta uttered.

Katniss smiled just before she was enveloped in his big hug. She moved away slightly. She blushed and said, "I have some eggs for you guys."

"Oh," Peeta dully said.

She pulled out the container of eggs from her bag. "I thought you might enjoy them."

"OH," Peeta said brightly as he saw the large container of eggs.

"My dad loves fresh eggs." Rye took the container and as soon as he turned around Katniss wrapped her arms around Peeta.

"Are you hungry?"

"I haven't eaten," Katniss muttered, knowing that even if she'd said no he'd feed her. The fact was her family was living off of milk and eggs since there wasn't anything else for them to eat. Their reserved food was all gone, except for a few herbs. Until two days ago they had school lunches. Katniss often packed away whatever she didn't eat to share with their mother. Since she had no coin she couldn't buy food and the only ones who would trade with her were Rooba, the Mellarks, and the Cartwrights. But there wasn't anything she could trade for with the cobblers.

Because of the weather, no one had anything except what their salaries could afford them. For Katniss, it was especially harder, because her mother didn't get paid in coins. Her mother only bartered for her services and no one was sharing their food.

"Rye, are there any leftovers?"

Rye wiggled his eyebrows, "Enough to feed your hottie?"

Peeta immediately apologized, "I'm sorry about him. Sometimes I wonder if he's really related?"

"Please, you look like me. We could be twins. This means I can trick all your girlfriends into sleeping with me." Rye chided even as he puttered around the back kitchen.

Peeta groused, "Are you feeling okay, because you're not thinking straight?"

Katniss watched their banter. It got really funny and she couldn't help but laugh.

"Sometimes I want to bang my head against the wall with him. I think it'd be quicker and the wall would comprehend better," Peeta muttered.

"BOYS!" Their father called from the top of the stairs. "WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN THERE?"

Their father's heavy steps stopped the boys arguing. They began to panic as he came down the stairs.

"Quick in the pantry," Rye said to Katniss, opening the door.

Katniss was shoved inside the small room that was stocked with ingredients. She still had a roll in her hand. With nothing else to do, she brought up the roll to her face and sniffed it. Her stomach protested its emptiness. She quietly pulled it apart before biting into it. A large smile came to face, as she chewed. She heard the muffled voices coming from the other side of the door.

"Rye, you need to keep it quiet. Your mother isn't feeling well."

"That's because she sauced dad," Rye said.

"What does that mean?" Eugene asked pointed.

"It means mom has a hangover." Peeta's voice sounded like he was laughing.

Their fathers sounded defeated, "Come on guys, you know your mom isn't taking what happened to the Mayor's servant well."

"Nobody is dad," Peeta quietly said.

"It's true; everybody is scared, tired, and miserable. The weather is crappy. That egomaniac Thread is acting like we're some bunch of hooligans. Four Peacekeepers pinned Delly, forcing her to take a breath test for consumption of illegal liquor. Delly, Dad! Delly who has never done anything wrong in her life; she wouldn't even kill a fly." Rye's voice sounded disgusted.

"Rye, that's enough. I'll speak to her father, make sure she's alright."

"The people in the Seam have it worse. Mrs. Green's body was dragged away from the stocks yesterday. She was put in there because she wouldn't let a Peacekeeper harass her oldest. They have no mom and they're a family of four kids, three under twelve," Peeta said.

There was a silence between the three of them.

Their father muttered, "Just be careful, my boys; these are perilous times."

Katniss breathed easy thinking Mr. Mellark was leaving. In all of the excitement, she forgot to eat the rest of her bread. Then she heard Mr. Mellark pause.

"Did Katniss stop by?"

"Uh," The boys floundered. Then Rye said, "She left us a large jar of eggs."

"Did you give her good bread and some flour, or some of our vegetables?"

"Yup." They respond in unison.

"She's wasting away most likely letting her family eat her portions. She's a good one, boys," Eugene said.

Katniss could not hear what they said in response.

"Came kind of late though. I hope she made it back to her house alright. Peeta, next time she comes late, take her home," Their father admonished.

"What about curfew?" Rye asked.

"I'm sure Katniss and her family will take care of Peeta," Mr. Mellark said right before going up the stairs.

There's a rush toward the door as soon as their father left; the door opened. Their faces filled with concern, as they jammed up against the door to look at her. Katniss never realized how big and stocky they both were, like two blond giants. Their blue eyes filled with anxiety, most likely thinking they'd hurt her. She glanced in Peeta's eyes and she could see the world. She popped one piece of bread in her mouth as she took Peeta's extended hand.

"Sorry about that." They both apologized at the same time.

They sat her down on one of the stools.

"You're okay? You're not hurt?" Rye asked.

"I'm fine, Rye," Katniss assured him, and she could see he was relieved.

"I'm going to head upstairs and I'll knock on the side of the stairwell when the coast is clear." Rye winked and left them alone.

Peeta took out the sandwich he'd made for her, one with meat and basil. The whole time Peeta didn't let go of her hand and she did not mind one bit.

She ate until she was full.

The knock on the side of the wall came and quickly they slipped upstairs up to his room.

Katniss wanted to tell Peeta about Gale, about not leaving. She had so many things to tell him but the sight of him was too much.

She leapt into his arms, placing little kisses all over his face.

He laughed at her exuberance. He easily sat with her on the bed, his mouth found hers. Once more Peeta was the gentleman and she was the one who wanted more. Her hands roamed over his shoulders, his chest right before his mouth found that spot on her neck that turned her legs to jelly.

It was after they spent a little while touching and exploring that Katniss lay on her side, her hand tucked under the pillow. She was now wearing just his shirt and he was shirtless.

They were staring at each other, slight smiles on their faces in the darkened room. The snow outside was intensifying. Peeta reached out and touched her face.

"I've been so worried about you."

Katniss knew him, knew he would be. She scooted closer to him, buried her head in his chest. "I was glad you were there that night with us."

"I still can't believe Arabella is gone and so is Cray."

"I think they caught Cray with Arabella. She was his lover," Katniss said, his hand gently ran up and down her spine. She finally was able to relax.

"How is Madge doing?" Peeta was concerned.

"I don't know, I haven't seen her. I know she was close to Arabella. I just hope Mrs. Undersee is okay. Arabella was her caretaker."

"This whole situation is wrong. We haven't done anything. They're finding stupid excuses to slaughter us," He said angrily.

Katniss thought of all of the Seam people who were dragged to the stockyards on a daily basis and the ones that were silently starving.

"I didn't think leaving the district was smart, not with Thread."

"I figured," he traced the smudges under her eyes.

Katniss glanced up at him. She felt terrible for having to cancel their escape. "I'm sorry we couldn't leave, Peeta."

"Hush, we can't leave, not now, it would be insane."

Katniss nodded. Commander Thread was a tyrant. He held no compassion for the impoverished.

"You haven't been sleeping or eating well." He touched her face gently.

She lowered her lashes and shook her head.

"Prim?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"The Reaping's only a day away. Maybe the odds will be in our favor," Peeta said, but his words were hollow. They both knew anything was possible.

"I'm worried, Peeta."

His hands gently brushed her hair away from her face. "Me too. How's Gale?"

"I kicked him out of the house the other day."

"What? When?" He sat up forcing her to sit up as well.

Katniss looked down. "The night that Thread killed Cray and Arabella."

"What happened?" He was incredulous it was in his voice, written on his face.

"We were fighting. I didn't like the way he was talking to me and he was trying to tell me about his family. I was so angry at him; I didn't hear him. I did to him what he's done to me in the past."

"How do you feel about that?"

She groaned. "It sucked, you know, cause I didn't like it when he did it to me."

"So where do you guys stand now?" Peeta whispered touching her face tenderly.

"We haven't spoken since that night and now the reaping is coming up."

"What do you want to do?"

"I don't know, but I do know things can't stay the same between us. He's my hunting buddy, and I thought my friend, but we've... I don't know what to call it." Katniss whispered, her voice conveyed the pain and guilt she felt.

"You don't have to be sorry." Peeta took her hand. "You've been growing apart. It happens in friendships. Look at me and Delly, we're best of friends but lately, we don't hang out as often. I mean I didn't even know her mother passed away until I spoke to her briefly during school and we live right next door to each other." He slowly embraced her. "I'm sure that if you and Gale sit down and talk, you guys can clear up your differences."

"I hope we can, because at the time I was so annoyed and mad at him." Katniss moved and put her head on his shoulder. It felt good to share everything with Peeta.

As they sat there, a small tap on the window caused them to stare out of it. Corky was there. He had snow on his little head. He carried bark with him.

"Hey buddy," Peeta murmured as he opened the window.

He scampered in and stopped when he saw her sitting there. Corky twitched his nose as if greeting her.

"Haven't seen you in a while. What have you been up to nuisance?" Katniss never thought in a million years she would be speaking to her little furry nemesis.

Corky wiggled his nose and a series of squeaks came out, as he pointed to the floor. Shirley came out with his family. The little babies were tiny. Corky jumped down and all four of the little squirrels stood looking at Katniss. Corky picked up one of his babies and held it protectively against his chest.

"When did this happen?"

"Remember the day Prim was here?"

"Yeah," Katniss incredulously stared at Corky and in a way she was a little jealous of the squirrel. His children would never know a Reaping. She recalled the tea and the foil packets her mother gave her. They were careful but she had to make sure to have that talk with Peeta about expectations and kids.

Peeta closed the window then reached out and the squirrels hopped onto his hands. "Hi, you guys hungry?"

Katniss watched him put the little fur balls down and go to the dresser where he had a hidden piece of stale bread. The squirrels took the bread and disappeared under his bed.

She smiled at him. He was so handsome, and her body raced at the sight of him. He wore his pajamas that were loose around his hips. She loved to look at his broad shoulders and chiseled chest. She was so entertained by the sight of him she did not notice his serious face or the change in his demeanor.

"I don't want kids," she blurted.

"I know."

"No," Katniss shook her head. "Ever. I don't want to have a kid knowing they…"

"...can be reaped." Peeta finished for her. "I know Katniss. I don't want that either." He looked down at his hands. "To have a piece of you die in the arena for the entertainment of the Capitol is horrible."

Katniss nodded.

"Katniss, what happens if Prim's name is called?"

It took her a few moments to realize he was speaking to her. "Sorry?"

"If your sister's name is picked, what are you going to do?"

She frowned, then quietly said, "I'll volunteer as tribute."

Peeta's intense blue eyes stared right into her soul. Katniss had only seen Peeta angry once and that was when his mother insulted his sister-in-law. Katniss had been hiding in his room, waiting for him when she heard the argument. He came into the room and slammed the door. He had dragged a bag out of the corner and pounded it until he was spent. Now he looked just like he did that night.

His knuckles were white as he gripped the back of the chair.

"What are you thinking?" His voice was grave as if he was trying to control his ire. He closed his eyes and his jaw tensed.

She stayed put. She wasn't afraid of Peeta, but she let him have his moment. He wasn't like Gale who thundered when he got mad and was impulsive. Peeta was very conscious of his strength; he knew his hands could hurt. That was why she was respectful of his limits. He closed his eyes.

He said, "I hope to hell that doesn't happen."

"But if it does."

His shoulders slumped. "Katniss," he warned.

"Peeta," She begged. She didn't want to tell him about her plan.

"I know that nothing I can say can convince you to do otherwise. She's your sister and I understand you have a right to protect her."

"Yes."

He opened his eyes and she gasped. He gazed at her and all of the turmoil he felt was displayed in his eyes.

"If you volunteer Katniss, I'm going to volunteer too."

"NO," this was ripped from within her. She got up from the bed and stood in front of him. "Don't you dare?"

"Stop," he gripped her shoulders.

She was mad and she froze in her fear and anger. This was her night terror coming to life. "NO."

"You can't stop me, Katniss."

She couldn't stop the tears that filled her grey eyes.

Peeta's words were softly spoken, they were filled with determination and sadness. "If you go in and something happens to you, I'll never be able to live with myself."

"No," she shook her head. "You have to live."

Peeta shook his head. "I can't, not without you."

"I'll make it, I promise," Katniss said desperately. She tried to kiss him to convince him to stay.

"Stop Katniss, just stop. No one needs me."

Peeta didn't understand just how much she did. If something happened to him in the Games, she'd be broken. She'd never make it out of the arena, she'd die. "I do, I need you."

Hearing her words caused him to kiss her hard. His hands slid down to her lower back. Katniss leaped up wrapping her legs around his middle. They spilled onto his bed, kissing feverishly. Their hands straining over their clothing as they moved their bodies trying to memorize each curve, each plane. Katniss stilled his movements. He had only done this once before. Brazenly she took his hand and guided it downwards, under the elastic of her underwear.

"Katniss?"

"Please," She uttered desperate for his touch.

Neither one knew Peeta's father stood outside of the door. He planned on catching them together to force their relationship into the open. But then he heard the entire exchange. They were going to forgo their life for each other. He heard the soft cries of a desperate girl and the boy whose love ran tragically deep. He turned around and headed upstairs to his room.

The reaping was going to tear his family apart.

He and every resident within the district dreaded Reaping Day.

In his bedroom, Rye waited until he knew his brother was asleep. He crept into the room and taking a deep breath, he slipped the message Madge had given him for Katniss into her bag.