Special thanks to everyone for your comments, likes and for reading this story. I hope you are enjoying the story so far. A huge hug to my beta Norbertsmom who allowed me to explore this chapter. PS I do not own the Hunger Games

Last time there was no reaping the weather was so severe that it canceled the Games. The Everdeen's and the Mellarks had finally met and Katniss and Peeta's quiet relationship was now out and the open but as they were getting ready to celebrate of course there was a knock on the door begging the question - who can it be

The knock on the door became louder.

Everyone froze.

The knock became forceful and the door rattled.

"OPEN UP THIS IS THE PEACEKEEPERS!"

At the mention of the Peacekeepers, Peeta's mother became pale and her hands began to shake. "They are going to arrest us. We're going to die like Arabella," Boudica whispered as tears fell from her face.

To Peeta, the room suddenly became fridged. The warmth and joy they had been experiencing all went out of the room. They might as well have been standing outside instead of inside with the warmth of the ovens. Peeta got closer to Katniss, his hand sought hers.

His father put his arms around his wife. "Don't worry Bea, they won't touch us."

"How can you be sure?" Boudica whispered.

"Because we've done nothing wrong." His father looked up to Peeta. Although his father's voice was calm, his eyes betrayed his worry.

This time they banged on the door. "OPEN UP!"

Prim clutched Mrs. Everdeen's arm, her pale blue eyes wide with fear. Peeta hated seeing Katniss' little sister so upset.

Having Peacekeepers come to their door was not a good sign. This meant they were going to be made an example of, no matter what. They needed to be on their toes. Peeta glanced at Katniss. He froze momentarily, thinking someone spotted her hunting or trading.

Katniss stood closer to him protectively. He towered over her yet her energy was that of a fierce lioness protecting the pride.

Rye calmly opened the door.

The Peacekeepers led by Thread trampled inside. There were at least fifteen officers with him. Their weapons were drawn, ready to fire. Thread directed some upstairs and others into the bakery to conduct a search.

Thread was followed by three Capitolites. One of the shorter crewmen took off their mask to reveal she was a woman with a half-shaved head and green vine tattoo that crawled up her neck. The two other crew members were twins, with what looked like the shells of a bug on their backs. The shells slid back to reveal cameras. The woman directed the twins to stand in strategic positions to capture the action. She held a tablet where she watched the shots and edited them.

"We heard there was an infraction." Thread whipped out his weapon and pointed it at Eugene. "There is to be no trading or business transactions for forty-five days. Why are your ovens on?"

"We have them on for the cold sir," Peeta's father spoke, but his voice trembled slightly. "We terminate our business early in observance of the Reaping."

"Is that so? Well, I will be the judge of that." Thread looked around his beady eyes glancing everywhere.

It occurred to Peeta this was being done to show how the Capitol had control of the district, even though they didn't have control over the weather. He was sure Thread didn't mind as this was his opportunity to show his solidarity to a dying system. A system that couldn't function because of the relentless snow.

Peeta questioned, "Would you like to sample one of our many loaves of bread? They are going to get spoiled."

"Shut up!" Thread ordered.

"I am sorry?" Peeta replied.

"Don't get smart with me," Thread growled, getting in Peeta's face.

"I would simply like to ask what we have done, sir?" Peeta was trying to think of a way to find a chink in Thread's armor, to win without anyone getting hurt. Thread didn't like his authority to be challenged.

"Unit one all clear," the radio crackled as the group that went into the bakery came back.

"Nothing?" Thread asked.

"Nothing! What about him check his breath," Thread pointed to Rye.

One of the Peacekeepers went up to Rye with a breathalyzer. "Breathe!"

Rye did as the man said.

The machine beeped, indicating the test was complete. The Peacekeeper glanced down at the results. Despite having his helmet with the face cover drawn the man's hands shook. "He is clear sir."

"What?" Thread growled and thumped over to the Peacekeeper, ripping the machine out of his hands to look at the results.

"Unit two all clear," the radio said.

Thread fumed. Peeta could see he was looking for a reason to cause trouble. Leveling his eyes on Katniss, he smiled evilly. "What is she doing here?"

"She-" Peeta was about to speak but Thread cut him off.

"Your kind is not permitted on this side of town." Thread nodded.

A Peacekeeper with the Number 2 on his sleeve took Katniss roughly by her arms.

"Katniss," Primrose cried.

"Hush," Lavender soothed Prim.

Rye edged his way closer to Prim to comfort her. There was a bond between Rye and Primrose, she clung to his arm. Peeta breathed in and out. It was his worst nightmare. He was momentarily paralyzed.

"Take her outside and put her in the stocks, so that she will learn her lesson," Thread ordered.

They roughly escorted her out into the yard. Peeta and his family rushed outside. Lavender hushed Primrose, hugging her tightly. There were still people lingering about. They stood frozen watching from the fence. Katniss didn't resist. She didn't protest as she was pushed.

"Wait! She has a good reason for being in our home," Eugene said, chasing after the Peacekeepers.

Thread stopped walking and faced them.

"What reason?" Thread asked.

Boudica pulled Eugene back. "What are you doing? They can kill us."

Thread smirked, he headed toward Katniss who stood by the fence. "I am going to ask once more what are you doing here on this side of town?"

Katniss didn't reply.

"You're Seam trash. There isn't any reason for you to be here, is there?"

"She wasn't buying anything, sir," Peeta said standing between Katniss at the Head Peacekeeper. He thought furiously about how he could help her and this was the only way. He put his arms around her. She was shaking from the cold.

"Get out of the way." Thread back slapped Peeta.

Peeta fell into a mound of snow. His face stung but he didn't care, his eyes were set on Katniss.

"She is allowed in this side of town," Lavender spoke up, walking forward holding Primrose's hands.

"Is she?" Thread smirked.

"If I may explain," Lavender calmly spoke. Peeta watched the way Katniss mother addressed the Peacekeeper as if she had all the time in the world.

"Well?" Thread asked.

Peeta stood up and put his arms around Katniss once more. She wrapped her arm around his middle. If she was put in the stocks he would follow. He wasn't going to allow her to die. If anything, he would take her place gladly. She deserved to live. She had to look after her family. He wasn't really needed. That was his argument he had with Katniss the night before, Peeta planned on volunteering if she or her sister were called. He told her his reason, as the third son of the baker he was expendable. She refuted his argument. Katniss told him she needed him. No one had ever told him he was needed. Hearing her say those words was almost like hearing her say she loved him. He whispered, "You okay?"

Katniss nodded.

"She is my daughter. And according to the law she's considered merchant. As a Merchant, she is allowed to be on this side of town. The boy is her fiance; he's protecting her."

Thread skeptically glanced at Katniss as Lavender and Primrose stood by her side. When they were all together the family resemblance was undeniable. Katniss had her mother's features although her coloring came from her father.

Peeta wanted desperately to save Katniss. He stuck by her side. He would do anything for her or her family. During the past months, his infatuation with her turned into love. It ran deep like currents that ran beneath the earth's surface.

"Prove it!" Thread demanded and glanced at his men; none of them flinched.

"You can check the Reaping roster. Her name is Katniss Everdeen. We were discussing our engagement when you knocked on our door," Peeta explained. This time he didn't care what they did to him, he wasn't going to allow Katniss to be put in the stocks.

Thread put his hands on his hips. His eyes slid to one of the Peacekeepers, who walked forward with a small black box. They took Katniss' hand, selected a finger and slid it into the machine. Katniss flinched when the machine pricked her finger. Within minutes the information showed up on the screen.

Thread grabbed the machine and read out loud. "Katniss Everdeen, Daughter of Lavender Elizabeth Garrett Anderson. Designation Merchant Class."

"My daughter is a merchant, by your own admission. And as a Merchant, she is allowed to marry another merchant." Lavender made eye contact with Boudica.

"Yes that is the law," Boudica said. "We were excitedly discussing their upcoming wedding announcement and possibly sharing our home for the next forty-five days since we are to be kin."

Peeta had never seen his mother act in such a way. He wondered how this happened; unless his mother was covering up their lineage. Perhaps he wasn't a merchant after all. This made him happy for some reason to know there had been another who was willing to marry for love and not for the sake of propriety.

Thread narrowed his eyes, "Enough!"

Peeta inhaled and held his breath. A man like Thread didn't like to be bested. Peeta had no doubt they would all be on his watch list.

"Stop recording," Thread yelled. He left in a huff and the Peacekeepers followed suit. Thankfully the odds were in their favor.

The woman made a sign for her two crewmen to stop recording. She waited for Thread to brush past her angrily before she winked at Peeta, admired Rye, then left. Peeta got the eerie suspicion this wouldn't be the last time he saw the woman. He turned to Katniss, "Let's get inside and get some hot tea in everyone."

"Yes," his father said.

When they entered the bakery, Katniss allowed him to hug her tightly. She was shaking it could have been from the fright or from the cold. Peeta wasn't sure but she needed him. He wanted to make sure she felt secure and was warmed, he rubbed her back, shoulders until she stopped shaking.

"Do you think they will be back?"

"Possibly." He didn't want to state the obvious Thread was coming back. They humiliated him, and some like Thread didn't take those types of things lightly. It was all about ego and maintaining control.

"We need to let Madge know."

Peeta thought about the woman and her crew. "Somehow I think she might know already."

Katniss kneeled down and hugged Prim.

Rye came around with a cupcake. "I think you might need this more than a plain ol'cookie."

Prim squealed and hugged him. Peeta saw Katniss mouthed thank you to Rye. Rye winked back and picked up Prim in his arms. She was 12 years of age but she looked younger because of malnutrition despite all of Katniss' attempts to keep her family fed. Peeta swore Prim would never be hungry he would do everything in his power to help.

Around him, the family began to unwind as the trauma they had just gone through. The laughter returned when his father showed Katniss the trap he'd made and she raised an eyebrow and quipped he should leave the hunting to her.

His mother and her mother made tea and it warmed everyone up. Just as they were relaxed and happily making plans once more about the engagement, there was another hard knock at the door. This time Peeta's heart jumped to his throat. It could be Thread, he thought. His gaze flew to Rye. His brother had the same question in his eyes, what could they possibly want now?